avens

noun

av·​ens ˈa-vənz 

plural avens

: any of a genus (Geum) of perennial herbs of the rose family with white, purple, red, or yellow flowers

Word History

Etymology

Middle English avence, avance, borrowed from Anglo-French avance, avence "wood avens (Geum urbanum), hare's foot (Trifolium arvense), hazelwort (Asarum europaeum)" (also continental Middle French), borrowed from Medieval Latin avantia, of obscure origin

Note: Alternatively the Medieval Latin form may be a latinization of the French word.

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined above