'artichoke' originates from Italian, specifically the word 'articiocco' (also attested as 'articioco'), ultimately influenced by Arabic 'al-kharshūf' (الخرشوف).

'artichoke' changed from Italian 'articiocco' (and related late medieval Romance forms) and was borrowed into Middle English as 'artichoke', eventually becoming the modern English word 'artichoke'.

Initially, it meant 'a thistle-like plant or its edible bud', and this basic meaning has continued into modern usage as 'the edible bud of a certain thistle'.