Tarragon
/ˈtær.ə.ɡən/noun
A perennial herb of the sunflower family, used as a culinary flavoring, especially in French cuisine.
Did you know?Tarragon’s name comes through French from a medieval Latin form tied to Greek *drakōn* (“dragon”), because the plant’s twisted roots and sharp bite made people think of serpentine power.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
drákōn
“dragon, large serpent”
Medieval Latin
Latin
dragona
“dragon; later a name associated with the plant”
Old French
French
estragon
“tarragon”
Middle English
English
tarragon
“the aromatic herb used in cooking”