fenugreek

Definition

Any of the species leguminous plant, Trigonella foenum-graecum, eaten as a vegetable and with seeds used as a spice.

Etymology

From Middle English fenygreke, fenegrek, from Old French fenugrec, fengrec, from Latin foenum-graecum, from foenum (“hay”, variant of faenum) + graecum (“Greek”, neuter form of graecus), literally “Greek hay”.

Example Sentences

• "Fenugreek plant was introduced to Central Europe by Benedictine monks, and it is promoted in the 9th century by Charlemagne. It was grown extensively in the imperial gardens of Charlemagne (Popova, 2017)."
• "Fenugreek’s nutritional and tonic properties have also been tapped since ancient times. […] Fenugreek-based preparations stimulate the appetite and promote weight gain in people with anemia, anorexia, tuberculosis or asthenia."