Thyme
/taɪm/noun
A fragrant Mediterranean herb of the mint family used in cooking and traditional medicine.
Did you know?The English word thyme comes through Latin and Greek from a root associated with burning or offering incense, which is why this humble herb has long been linked to ritual fragrance and purification.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*dheu̯-
“to smoke, burn, make sacrifice”
Ancient Greek
Greek
θύον (thýon) / θύμος (thýmos)
“a fragrant herb; also something used in burning or offering”
Latin
Latin
thymum
“thyme”
Old French
Old French
thym
“thyme”
Middle English
English
tyme / thime
“the herb thyme”
Modern English
English
thyme
“the aromatic herb thyme”