Water Caltrop
/ˈwɔː.tər ˌkæl.trəp/noun
An aquatic plant of the genus Trapa, especially Trapa natans, whose spiny fruits are also called water chestnuts.
Did you know?The name caltrop comes from the resemblance between the plant’s four-spined fruit and the medieval caltrop, a metal weapon scattered to injure horses and soldiers.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*wódr̥
“Water; the ancient root behind the first element of water.”
Old English
Old English
wæter
“Water; a liquid flowing in rivers, springs, and other bodies.”
Ancient Latin
Latin
calcitrapa
“A thorny plant or iron weapon resembling a heel-trap; literally associated with piercing the heel.”
12th–13th Century
Old French
caltrope / calcatrepe
“A spiked metal device scattered on the ground to injure feet or horses.”
14th Century
Middle English
caltrop
“A four-pointed iron weapon, with one spike always facing upward.”
Modern English
English
water caltrop
“The aquatic Trapa plant, named for its similarly four-spined fruit.”