sweet gale

noun

1. an aromatic shrub, Myrica gale, of marshes, having lance-shaped leaves and yellowish fruit.

sweet gale

noun

1. a shrub, Myrica gale, of northern swamp regions, having yellow catkin-like flowers and aromatic leaves: family Myricaceae Also calledbog myrtle Often shortened togale

Word History and Origins

Origin of sweet gale¹

First recorded in 1630–40

Word History and Origins

Origin of sweet gale¹

C17: see gale ²

Example Sentences

The sweet gale, Myrica Gale, and the sage, Salvia officinalis, were also similarly employed.

From Project Gutenberg

The popular name of a plant, also known as the sweet gale or gaul, sweet willow, bog or Dutch myrtle.

From Project Gutenberg

Footnote 7: Ale brewed of the herb called sweet gale, or Dutch myrtle, instead of hops.--Tr.

From Project Gutenberg

It is a shrub much like our sweet gale in Europe, and its leaves are very odorous, and, even when dried, retain their fragrance. 

From Project Gutenberg

Erasmus is, much more than Aretino or Castiglione, the representative of the spirit of his age, one over whose Christian sentiment the sweet gale of Antiquity had passed.

From Project Gutenberg