epazote

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

Epazote’s story begins in Nahuatl: epazotl meant “a strong-smelling cooking and medicinal herb.” Named for the pungent-smelling herb (epatl skunk + tzotl sweat/dirt). By 1600s, the word had taken hold in Spanish as epazote. Nahuatl 'skunk sweat', from its strong smell; cooks add it to beans to reduce gas. It reached English by 1920s as epazote. Entered English through Mexican cookbooks and Southwestern cuisine. Today, epazote means a pungent Mexican culinary herb traditionally cooked with black beans.

1. Stage 1 · Nahuatl · pre-1500s epazotl "a strong-smelling cooking and medicinal herb", named for the pungent-smelling herb (epatl skunk + tzotl sweat/dirt).
2. Stage 2 · Spanish · 1600s epazote "a pungent culinary herb used with beans and stews", Nahuatl 'skunk sweat', from its strong smell; cooks add it to beans to reduce gas.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1920s epazote "a strong-flavored herb used in Mexican cooking", entered English through Mexican cookbooks and Southwestern cuisine.