alecost
(ˈeɪlkɒst)
Also 6–7 ale-coast.
[f. ale- 4 + cost. ad. L. costum, -us, -os, a. Gr. κόστος an unidentified plant used as spice.]
A Composite plant (Balsamita vulgaris or Chrysanthemum balsamita) allied to Tansy, so called because formerly much used for giving to ale an agreeable aromatic and bitter flavour.
| 1589 Cogan (in Prior Plant-names). 1597 Gerard Herbal ii. cxcviii. 524 Called in English Costmarie and Ale-coast. 1676 Beal in Phil. Trans. XI. 587 Ale-cost..famous for dispatching the maturation of Ale and Beer. 1866 W. Booth in Treas. Bot. 119 The common Costmary or Alecost is a native of Italy, whence it was introduced in 1568. |