Main Entry:

com·frey

Pronunciation:

\ˈkəm(p)-frē\

Function:

noun

Inflected Form(s):

plural comfreys

Etymology:

Middle English cumfirie, from Anglo-French cunfirie, from Latin conferva a water plant, from confervēre to grow together (of bones), from com- + fervēre to boil — more at barm

Date:

13th century

1 : any of a genus (Symphytum) of perennial herbs of the borage family with coarse hairy entire leaves and flowers in one-sided racemes 2 : an herbal preparation of the leaves or roots of comfrey that is toxic if taken internally

[comfrey illustration]