tarragon

Where does the word "tarragon" come from? It comes from Arabic tarkhun, passing through Medieval Latin and French before entering English (medieval).

Tarragon’s story begins in Arabic: tarkhun meant “tarragon herb.” The Arabic name for the aromatic herb. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Medieval Latin as tarchon. Arabic 'ṭarkhūn', perhaps from Greek 'drakōn', dragon, hence French 'estragon'. From there it passed into French as estragon by medieval. The herb's name in French cooking. It reached English by medieval as tarragon. Settled as the English name for the culinary herb. Today, tarragon means an aromatic herb used in cooking, especially French cuisine.

1. Stage 1 · Arabic · medieval tarkhun "tarragon herb", the Arabic name for the aromatic herb.
2. Stage 2 · Medieval Latin · medieval tarchon "tarragon", Arabic 'ṭarkhūn', perhaps from Greek 'drakōn', dragon, hence French 'estragon'.
3. Stage 3 · French · medieval estragon "tarragon", the herb's name in French cooking.
4. Stage 4 · English · medieval tarragon "an aromatic culinary herb", settled as the English name for the culinary herb.