Hemlock
/ˈhɛm.lɒk/noun
A poisonous plant of the parsley family, especially one with small white flowers and finely divided leaves.
Did you know?The word’s first element is from Old English *hymlice*/*hymel*, but the exact origin of the second element is uncertain, so the deadly reputation is historical, not etymological.
Etymological Timeline
Old English
OE
hymlice
“A poisonous plant identified with hemlock”
Middle English
English
hemelok
“Hemlock, the poisonous plant”
15th Century
English
hemlok
“Hemlock; especially the deadly herb”
Modern English
English
hemlock
“A highly poisonous plant of the genus Conium or related plants”