woodruff

¹

[ wood-ruhf, -ruhf ]

noun

1. any of several plants belonging to the genus Asperula or Galium, of the madder family, as G. odoratum sweet woodruff, a fragrant plant with small white flowers.

Woodruff

²

[ wood-ruhf ]

noun

1. Hiram, 1817–67, Canadian driver, trainer, and breeder of harness-racing horses.

woodruff

/ ˈwʊdrʌf /

noun

1. any of several rubiaceous plants of the genus Galium , esp G. odoratum ( sweet woodruff ), of Eurasia, which has small sweet-scented white flowers and whorls of narrow fragrant leaves used to flavour wine and liqueurs and in perfumery

Word History and Origins

Origin of woodruff¹

before 1000; Middle English woderove, Old English wudurofe, wudurife, equivalent to wudu wood ¹ + -rofe, -rife, element of uncertain meaning; compare German Rübe carrot

Word History and Origins

Origin of woodruff¹

Old English wudurofe, from wood ¹+ rōfe, related to Old High German ruoba, Middle Low German rōve (beet)root, Latin rēpere to creep

Example Sentences

Pentire also makes botanical, non-alcoholic spirits which don‘t fall into traditional booze categories. Their Seaward boasts “bright, zesty and verdant” flavors, with ingredients like sea rosemary, woodruff, sea buckhorn and pink grapefruit.

From Washington Times

Sweet woodruff is easy to grow and adapts to a wide range of garden conditions, although afternoon sun in high summer can scorch the foliage.

From Seattle Times

One dessert currently on the menu, "Strawberries and Woodruff", only uses foraged woodruff because it would not be sustainable to harvest the wild strawberries in the local area.

From BBC

He has also introduced McAfee’s traditional cottage garden favorites: poppies, lupines, honesty and sweet woodruff, ‘‘which comes up,’’ she says, ‘‘like a white haze under the green arches of Solomon’s seal.’’

From New York Times

This was followed by birch ice cream under white slices of raw pine mushrooms and woodruff leaves, an odd, herbaceous and unexpectedly stirring combination.

From New York Times