jasmine

Where does the word "jasmine" come from? It comes from Persian yasmin, passing through Old French before entering English (medieval).

Jasmine’s story begins in Persian: yasmin meant “jasmine flower.” The Persian name for the fragrant flowering plant. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as jasmin. Persian 'yasaman'; jasmine oil was a valued perfume ingredient. It reached English by medieval as jasmine. Settled as the English name for the flower. Today, jasmine means a fragrant flowering plant used in perfumes and teas.

1. Stage 1 · Persian · medieval yasmin "jasmine flower", the Persian name for the fragrant flowering plant.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval jasmin "jasmine", Persian 'yasaman'; jasmine oil was a valued perfume ingredient.
3. Stage 3 · English · medieval jasmine "the fragrant jasmine flower", settled as the English name for the flower.