ginseng

Where does the word "ginseng" come from? It comes from Chinese renshen, and was adopted directly into English (1700s).

Ginseng’s story begins in Chinese: renshen meant “person root.” Literally "person root", describing the root's human-like shape. It reached English by 1700s as ginseng. Chinese 'person root', from its human-like shape; Jesuits reported American ginseng in 1716. Today, ginseng means a medicinal plant root, used in traditional medicine and supplements.

1. Stage 1 · Chinese · ancient renshen "person root", literally "person root", describing the root's human-like shape.
2. Stage 2 · English · 1700s ginseng "a medicinal root", Chinese 'person root', from its human-like shape; Jesuits reported American ginseng in 1716.