black cohosh


noun

See under cohosh.

Origin of black cohosh

An Americanism dating back to 1820–30

Definition for black cohosh (2 of 2)

cohosh
[ koh-hosh, koh-hosh ]
/ ˈkoʊ hɒʃ, koʊˈhɒʃ /

noun

either of two unrelated plants of the eastern U.S., Cimicifuga racemosa (black cohosh), of the buttercup family, or Caulophyllum thalictroides (blue cohosh), of the barberry family, both used medicinally.

Origin of cohosh

1790–1800, Americanism; < Eastern Abenaki kkwὰhas

British Dictionary definitions for black cohosh (1 of 2)

black cohosh

noun

a plant of the ranunculaceous family, Cimicifuga racemosa, which is used as a natural alternative to hormone replacement therapy

British Dictionary definitions for black cohosh (2 of 2)

cohosh
/ (ˈkəʊhɒʃ, kəʊˈhɒʃ) /

noun

any of several North American plants, such as the blue cohosh (Caulophyllum thalictroides: family Leonticaceae) and black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa: family Ranunculaceae)

Word Origin for cohosh

C18: probably of Algonquian origin