sumac

Where does the word "sumac" come from? It comes from Arabic summaq, passing through Medieval Latin and Old French before entering English (c. 1300).

Sumac’s story begins in Arabic: summaq meant “red.” Meant simply "red," describing the spice's color. By 1300s, the word had taken hold in Medieval Latin as sumach. Arabic 'summāq'; the red berries flavour Middle Eastern dishes such as fattoush. From there it passed into Old French as sumac by 1200s. Carried the plant and dye trade into France. It reached English by c. 1300 as sumac. First used for the dried, chopped leaves used in tanning and dyeing, later the tangy spice. Today, sumac means a tangy red spice made from dried berries, or the shrub that produces them.

1. Stage 1 · Arabic · medieval summaq "red", meant simply "red," describing the spice's color.
2. Stage 2 · Medieval Latin · 1300s sumach "sumac dye plant", Arabic 'summāq'; the red berries flavour Middle Eastern dishes such as fattoush.
3. Stage 3 · Old French · 1200s sumac "sumac", carried the plant and dye trade into France.
4. Stage 4 · Middle English · c. 1300 sumac "tangy red spice and shrub", first used for the dried, chopped leaves used in tanning and dyeing, later the tangy spice.