boneset

American  

[bohn-set] / ˈboʊnˌsɛt /

noun

1. any composite plant of the genus Eupatorium, especially E. perfoliatum, of North America, having white flowers in a flat-topped cluster.

---

boneset British  

/ ˈbəʊnˌsɛt /

noun

1. Also called: agueweed.   feverwort.   thoroughwort.  any of various North American plants of the genus Eupatorium , esp E. perfoliatum , which has flat clusters of small white flowers: family Asteraceae (composites)

---

Etymology

Origin of boneset

1810–20, bone ( def. ) + set (v.), so named (by hyperbole) because supposed to have healing properties

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

boneset

Nonetheless, a demand persists for senna, henna, pennyroyal, hops, boneset, camomile, sage, tansy, flaxseed, rhubarb, ginger root, fennel seed, aniseed, saffron, viburnum.

From Time Magazine Archive

“Broken, by God’s whiskers. Broken,” she moaned, feeling her ankle, and she set about telling Beetle how to pack the boneset herbs and wrap the rags about the limb.

From "The Midwife's Apprentice" by Karen Cushman

Now, she loved Carolyn May very much, even if she could not bring herself to the point of showing her affection before others; but boneset tea is an awful dose!

From Carolyn of the Corners by Endicott, Ruth Belmore

I remembered 181 that I had seen in the pantry a package of boneset, an herb by which my father set great store, holding it a sovereign remedy for all common complaints.

From Track's End Being the Narrative of Judson Pitcher's Strange Winter Spent There As Told by Himself and Edited by Hayden Carruth Including an Accurate Account of His Numerous Adventures, and the Facts Concerning His Several Surprising Escapes from Death Now First Printed in Full by Carleton, Clifford

They lead a leisurely life, visiting freely the flowers of goldenrod, iron-weed, boneset, Joe Pye weed, and especially swamp milkweed.

From Butterflies Worth Knowing by Weed, Clarence M.