Dill Was Named for Its Calming Effect
Dill is a feathery herb used in pickling. Its name probably comes from an old word meaning to soothe.
Dill is a feathery herb whose leaves and seeds flavour pickles, fish and sauces. Its name is thought to come from an Old Norse or Germanic root meaning to soothe or lull, because dill water was given to fretful babies for centuries — the remedy sold as gripe water was built around it. The plant gives two distinct flavours from one stem: the soft leaves, called dill weed, and the seeds, which are sharper and closer to caraway.
- A feathery herb. *Fresh dill.*
- Dill weed — the leaves. *Dill weed.*
- Dill seed. *Dill seed.*
- Dill pickle. *A dill pickle.*
- Old English — *dile*. *The source.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | dill | Dill. |
| Compound | dill weed | Dill weed. |
| Compound | dill pickle | A dill pickle. |
| Related | fennel | Fennel. |
| Old English | dile | Dill. |
- Scatter dill over the salmon.Cooking.
- Dill water soothed babies.History.
- The seeds taste of caraway.Flavour.
Herbs named for their effects
- Dill — probably from a root meaning to soothe
- Sage — from Latin *salvus*, healthy, the same root as salvation
- Wormwood — once used against intestinal worms
- Feverfew — from Latin *febrifugia*, driving out fever
- Comfrey — from Latin *conferva*, meaning to knit together
Old English *dile*, of Germanic origin, possibly from a root meaning to soothe or lull.
Why is dill thought to be named for soothing?
Dill water was long given to calm fretful babies, and the name appears to come from a Germanic root meaning to soothe.
What is the difference between dill weed and dill seed?
Dill weed is the soft feathery leaf, mild and fresh. The seed is sharper and closer in flavour to caraway.