Obs. [a. F. trique-madame (1545 in Hatz.-Darm.), of uncertain origin.] An old name of one or more species of Stonecrop, formerly used in salads; called also PRICK-MADAM and TRIP-MADAM.
According to Lyte, Prick-madam was the plant now called Sedum reflexum, and Wild Prick-madam, S. album; according to Littré, trique madame in France is ‘l’orpin blanc,’ or ‘trique blanche,’ ? Sedum album; according to Eugène Rolland, Flore populaire, VI. 108–110, trique-madame is in France applied indiscriminately to Sedum acre and S. album, but it is doubtful if the name was ever applied in England to the former (Biting Stonecrop or Wall Pepper).
1600. Surflet, Countrie Farme, II. xvi. 223. Tricke-madam doth nothing feare the cold. Ibid., II. lx. 397. Steepe the seedes for a certaine time in the juice of trick-madame.
1699. Evelyn, Acetaria, 70. Trick-madame … is cooling and moist.
1725. Bradley’s Fam. Dict., s.v. Sallet, The Cimes and Tops of Trick-Madam, when young and tender, drest as Purslain, is a frequent Ingredient in our cold Sallet.
