Where does “balsamweed” come from?

balsamweed (English) comes from English balsam, from German Balsam, from Latin balsamum, from Ancient Greek βάλσαμον, from Hebrew בושם, from Proto-Semitic *buśm-.

balsamweed (English): The plant Impatiens balsamina

Definitions

  1. The plant Impatiens balsamina

Ancestry of “balsamweed”, step by step

balsamweed traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

via English balsam

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishbalsamA sweet-smelling oil or resin derived from...
2GermanBalsambalsam, balm; ointment
3Latinbalsamumbalsam (substance or tree); balm
4Ancient GreekβάλσαμονArabian balsam tree; balsam, the fragrant oil...
5Hebrewבושםperfume
6Proto-Semitic*buśm-—

via English weed

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishweedAny plant regarded as unwanted at the place...
2Middle Englishweed—
3Old Englishwēodweed
4Proto-West Germanic*weudweed (unwanted plant)
Every word from Proto-Semitic *buśm- →Every word from Hebrew בושם →Every word from Ancient Greek βάλσαμον →