fenugreek
(ˈfɛnjuːgriːk)
Forms: 1 fenogrecum, 4–5 fene-, feyngrek, (4 feiny greke), 6 fene-, feny-greke, fen(e)-, fenigreek(e, (6 fenecryck, 7 fœnegreeke), 6–7 feni-, feny-, fenugrec(k, (8 fenegry), 7 fenu-Greek, 9 fœnugreek, 7– fenugreek.
[OE. fenogræcum, L. fænugræcum for fænum Græcum Greek hay, the name given by the Romans (see quot. 1861). The ME. and later forms are ad. Fr. fenugrec = Pr. fenugrec, fengrec.]
1. A leguminous plant (Trigonella Fœnum Græcum) cultivated for its seeds, which are used by farriers.
| c 1000 Sax. Leechd. II. 181 Wiþ sarum maᵹan eft ᵹedo on wearmne ele þa wyrt þe hatte fenogrecum. 13.. Med. Receipt in Rel. Ant. I. 51 Tak..feinygreke..and farse the catte. c 1420 Pallad. on Husb. ii. 43 Ffeyngrek..is to be sowe..in this Janes ende. 1562 Turner Herbal ii. 5 a, The flour or meale of Fenegreke. 1631 Markham Cheap Husb. 1. Table Hard Words, Fenugreek is an Herb which hath a long slender trailing stalk. 1708 W. King Cookery ix, The herb fenugreek, with pickles, oil, and wine, was a Roman dainty. 1861 Miss Pratt Flower. Pl. II. 97 Fenugreek..so called by the Romans from their having adopted..the practice of cutting and drying it for fodder. 1877 Erichsen Surg. I. 15 The patient should be roused by the use of vinegar or fenugreek. |
2. attrib., as fenugreek-flower, fenugreek-seed.
| 1614 Markham Cheap Husb. i. v. (1668) 41 Take..of Fenugreek-seed one ounce. 1643 J. Steer tr. Exp. Chyrurg. vi. 25 A Decoction of Fœnegreeke or Melelot flowers. 1791 Hamilton Berthollet's Dyeing II. ii. iii. ii. 136 One dram of fenugreek seed. 1853 A. Soyer Pantroph. 144 Cook it in a saucepan with..fenugreek seed. |