sparrowwort en · NOUN
Etymology
From sparrow + wort.
Meanings
- (uncountable) An evergreen shrub, Erica passerina.
-
(uncountable) Any plant in the genus Passerina.
A compound of galanga, cubebs, sparrow wort, cardamoms, nutmeg, gillyflowers, Indian thistle, laurel seeds, cloves, Persian pepper is made into a drink. Taken twice daily morning and night, in pigeon or fowl broth, preceded and followed by eater. The result, according to Arab tradition, is an effective aphrodisiac.
1961, Harry E. Wedeck, Dictionary of Aphrodisiacs, New York: The Citadel Press, page 102:
- (uncountable) Any plant in the genus Thymelaea.