Ervil
/ˈɜːr.vɪl/noun
A leguminous plant, especially bitter vetch, cultivated historically for its seeds.
Did you know?Ervil seeds were historically used as food for humans and livestock, although some varieties contain compounds that make them unsafe in large quantities without careful preparation.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*erəgwom
“A reconstructed term associated with a kind of pea or vetch-like plant; the reconstruction is uncertain.”
Classical Latin
Latin
ervum
“Bitter vetch or a similar leguminous plant.”
Late Latin
Latin
ervilia
“The ervil plant or its seed.”
Middle English
English
ervil
“A vetch-like plant cultivated for its seeds.”
Modern English
English
ervil
“Bitter vetch, especially Vicia ervilia, an ancient food and fodder crop.”