[f. wolf’s, gen. of WOLF sb. + BANE sb.1, rendering mod.L. lycoctonum, a. Gr. λυκοκτόνον lit. ‘wolf-slayer.’] A plant of the genus Aconitum, esp. A. lycoctonum, with dull yellow flowers, occurring in mountainous regions in Europe. Also applied to Arnica montana (winter wolf’s-bane), and to the winter aconite, Eranthis hyemalis.
1548. Turner, Names Herbes (E.D.S.), 9. The other kynde [of Aconitum] is called Lycoctonum, & in englishe it maye be called wolfes bayne. But this kynde is deuided into two other kyndes, of whiche … the one may be called in englishe monkes coule or blewe wolfsbaine. The other kinde … may be called in Englishe yelowe wolfesbayn.
1578, 1597. [see MONK’S-HOOD 1].
1629. Parkinson, Parad., xxvi. 276. Most Herbarists call it Aconitum hyemale, and we in English thereafter, Winters Wolfesbane.
1656. W. Coles, Art of Simpling, 66. The Oyntment that Witches use is reported to be made … of the Juices of Smallage, Woolfsbaine and Cinquefoyle.
1760. J. Lee, Introd. Bot., App. 332.
1785. Martyn, Lett. Bot., xxi. (1794), 298. Wholesome Wolfsbane [Aconitum Anthora] … has five capsules,… and the flowers are sulphur-coloured.
1820. Keats, Melancholy, i. Go not to Lethe, neither twist Wolf’s-bane, tight-rooted, for its poisonous wine.
1846–50. A. Wood, Class-bk. Bot., 146. Aconitum uncinatum. American Wolf’s-Bane.
1856–60. A. Gray, Man. Bot. N. U.S., 13. Aconitum reclinatum. Trailing Wolfsbane.
1866. Treas. Bot., 1235/2.
