Also 6 trol flower. [tr. Ger. trollblume (whence app. mod.L. generic name Trollius, C. Gesner c. 1555, and F. trolle); app. f. stem of troll-en to roll, in reference to the globular shape of the flower. (Dr. Prior’s statement in quot. 1879 appears to be erroneous.)] A book-name for the Globe-flower (Trollius europæus).
1578. Lyte, Dodoens, III. lxxii. 418. Byside these kindes of Ranunculus is yet another strange kinde…, the whiche is called Troll flowers. Ibid., 419. The Trol flowers grow upon the mountaynes of Switserlande.
1879. Prior, Pop. Names Brit. Plants (ed. 3), Troll-flower, the globe-flower, from Sw. troll … a malignant supernatural being, a name … given to this plant on account of its acrid poisonous qualities.
