avens

noun

av·​ens ˈa-vənz 

plural avens

: any of two genera (Geum and Dryas) 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