senna

Where does the word "senna" come from? It comes from Arabic al-sena, passing through French and Modern Latin before entering English (1540s).

Senna’s story begins in Arabic: al-sena meant “laxative shrub.” Named the shrub whose dried leaflets were used medicinally; "the Arabians were the first that found it out". By c. 1400, the word had taken hold in French as sene. Entered European medical vocabulary through Arabic pharmacology. From there it passed into Modern Latin as senna by 1540s. Standardized in European medical and botanical texts. It reached English by 1540s as senna. Entered English as both the plant name and the name of its laxative preparation. Today, senna means a plant whose dried leaflets and pods are used to make a natural laxative.

1. Stage 1 · Arabic · medieval al-sena "laxative shrub", named the shrub whose dried leaflets were used medicinally; "the Arabians were the first that found it out".
2. Stage 2 · French · c. 1400 sene "senna", entered European medical vocabulary through Arabic pharmacology.
3. Stage 3 · Modern Latin · 1540s senna "medicinal shrub", standardized in European medical and botanical texts.
4. Stage 4 · English · 1540s senna "laxative plant and drug", entered English as both the plant name and the name of its laxative preparation.