Back to all words

Epazote

3 stages from Nahuatl to English.

Today it means a pungent Mexican culinary herb traditionally cooked with black beans

Where does the word "epazote" come from? It comes from Nahuatl epazotl, passing through Spanish before entering English (1920s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
epazotl
Nahuatl · pre-1500s
"a strong-smelling cooking and medicinal herb"
named for the pungent-smelling herb (epatl skunk + tzotl sweat/dirt)
2
Stage 2 of 3
epazote
Spanish · 1600s
"a pungent culinary herb used with beans and stews"
adopted into Mexican Spanish with the Nahuatl name intact
3
Stage 3 of 3
epazote
English · 1920s
"a strong-flavored herb used in Mexican cooking"
entered English through Mexican cookbooks and Southwestern cuisine
Drag to pan · scroll to zoom