Obs. [late L., a. Gr. λύκιον, orig. neut. sing. of Λύκιος Lycian.] a. The shrub Box-thorn (Lycium barbarum). b. The fruit, and c. the extracted juice of the Box-thorn.
1597. Gerarde, Herbal, III. xxv. 1151. There is drawne out of the leaues and branches of Boxe Thorne … a iuice, which is named Lycium…. In English … it is also named Lycium of the iuice which is boiled out of it.
1657. Physical Dict., Lycium, a decoction made of the juyce or decoction of the bramble root.
1661. Lovell, Hist. Anim. & Min., 36. Some adulterate the Indian Lycium with the gall hereof [sc. a Heifer].
1753. Chambers, Cycl. Supp., Lycium,… the name of a fruit called by the French baye d’Avignon, the Avignon berry.
1839. Penny Cycl., XIV. 210.
