Forms: 1 fenogrecum, 4–5 fene-, feyngrek, (4 feiny greke), 6 fene-, feny-greke, fen(e)-, fenigreek(e, (6 fenecryck, 7 fœnegreeke), 6–7 feni-, feny-, fenugrec(k, (8 fenegry), 7 fenu-Greek, 9 fœnugreek, 7– fenugreek. [OE. fenogræcum, L. fænugræcum for fænum Græcum Greek hay, the name given by the Romans (see quot. 1861). The ME. and later forms are ad. Fr. fenugrec = Pr. fenugrec, fengrec.]
1. A leguminous plant (Trigonella Fœnum Græcum) cultivated for its seeds, which are used by farriers.
c. 1000. Sax. Leechd., II. 181. Wiþ sarum maȝan eft ȝedo on wearmne ele þa wyrt þe hatte fenogrecum.
13[?]. Med. Receipt, in Rel. Ant., I. 51. For hym that haves the squynansy: tak … feinygreke … and farse the catte.
c. 1420. Pallad. on Husb., II. 43.
| Ffeyngrek to have of seede is to be sowe | |
| In Ytalie ene in this Janes ende. |
1562. Turner, Herbal, II. 5 a. The flour or meale of Fenegreke.
1631. Markham, Cheap Husb., I. Table Hard Words, Fenugreek is an Herb which hath a long slender trailing stalk.
1708. W. King, Cookery, ix. The herb fenugreek, with pickles, oil, and wine, was a Roman dainty.
1861. Miss Pratt, Flower. Pl., II. 97. The Common Fenugreek, (Trigonella Fœnum-Græcum,) was so called by the Romans from their having adopted from the Greeks the practice of cutting and drying it for fodder.
1877. Erichsen, Surg., I. 15. The patient should be roused by the use of vinegar or fenugreek.
2. attrib., as fenugreek-flower, -seed.
1614. Markham, Cheap Husb., I. v. (1668), 41. Take … of Fenugreek-seed one ounce.
1643. J. Steer, trans. Exp. Chyrurg., vi. 25. Wash it either with a Decoction of Feenegreeke or Melelot flowers.
1791. Hamilton, Berthollet’s Dyeing, II. II. III. ii. 136. One dram of fenugreek seed produced very nearly the same effect.
1853. Soyer, Pantropheon, 144. Cook it in a saucepan with pepper, alisander, and fenugreek seed.
