'adderwort' originates from Old English, specifically the word 'adderwyrt', where 'adder' referred to a snake and 'wyrt' meant 'plant'.

'adderwyrt' transformed into the Middle English word 'adderwort', and eventually became the modern English word 'adderwort'.

Initially, it meant 'a plant associated with snakes', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a plant used in traditional medicine'.