hag-taper
(ˈhægteɪpə(r))
Also 6 higgis-, hickis-, hig-; 8 hagtaber.
[The original form and etymology of the first element are left doubtful by the early instances (hag- appears to be late); the second is taper n.: cf. Ger. kerzenkraut ‘taper-wort’, MDu. tortsecruyt ‘torchwort’.]
A plant, the Great Mullein (Verbascum Thapsus).
| 1548 Turner Names of Herbes, Verbascum, in englishe Mullen higgis taper or Longe wurt. 1562 ― Herbal ii. 161 The whyte Verbascum is called commonly in English mollen or hickis taper. 1578 Lyte Dodoens i. lxxxi. 120 In English..Mulleyn, or rather Wulleyn, Higtape, Torches, and Longworte. 1741 Compl. Fam.-Piece i. i. 83 Then put to it a Handful of Hagtaber. 1863 Prior Plant-n. s.v., In our modern Floras it is incorrectly spelt High-taper. 1876 Treas. Bot. 1209/2 The English name, Hig-taper..and Hag-taper. |