Humulus
/ˈhjuːmjʊləs/noun
A genus of climbing plants in the hemp family, including hops.
Did you know?The word *Humulus* is the scientific Latin name for hops, and the same plant gave beer its bitter stability long before modern brewing science understood why.
Etymological Timeline
Modern Latin
Latin
Humulus
“Scientific name for the hop plant”
Medieval Latin
Latin
humulus
“Hop plant”
Late Latin / Vulgar Latin
Latin
humlo / humleo
“Hop vine, climbing plant”
Germanic substrate / uncertain
Germanic
*humela-
“Hop plant (proposed source; exact origin uncertain)”
Modern English
English
hops
“The bitter, aromatic flower cones used in brewing”