Forms: see GILLYFLOWER; also 6 gyllofer, gelefloure, -flower, gille-, 7 jellyflower. [Cf. Flem. stokvioliere ‘viola lignescens’ (Kilian), now stokviolier, -f(e)lier, stoffelier (De Bo).] The plant Matthiola incana; so called as having a woody stem, in distinction from clove-gillyflower. (See also STOCK sb.1 43.)
1530. Palsgr., 276/2. Stocke gyllofer, armorie bastarde.
1548. Turner, Names Herbes, 80. Purple & blew stock-gelefloures.
1655. Moufet & Bennet, Health’s Improv., iii. 19. Stock-gillyflowers.
1677. Grew, Anat. Plants, etc. (1682), 271. The Purple Flower of Stock-July Flowers.
1894. Blackmore, Perlycross, xlii. With … stock-gilly flowers in their hands.
