woundwort

American  

[woond-wurt, -wawrt] / ˈwundˌwɜrt, -ˌwɔrt /

noun

1. any of several plants of the genus Stachys, belonging to the mint family, especially S. palustris, having hairy stems and leaves and whorled clusters of small, reddish flowers.

2. kidney vetch.

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woundwort British  

/ ˈwuːndˌwɜːt /

noun

1. any of various plants of the genus Stachys, such as S. arvensis ( field woundwort ), having purple, scarlet, yellow, or white flowers and formerly used for dressing wounds: family Lamiaceae (labiates)

2. any of various other plants used in this way

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Etymology

Origin of woundwort

First recorded in 1540–50; wound ¹ + wort ²

Example Sentences

Take comfrey-leaves or roots, and clown woundwort, of each a handful; bruise them well, and boil them in ale, and drink a good draught of it now and then.

From The Works of Aristotle the Famous Philosopher Containing his Complete Masterpiece and Family Physician; his Experienced Midwife, his Book of Problems and his Remarks on Physiognomy by Aristotle