'burdock' originates from Middle English, specifically the word 'burdoc' (also attested as 'burdoke'), where 'bur' meant 'a prickly seed head' and 'dock' was a common name for certain plants.

'burdock' changed from the Middle English word 'burdoc'/'burdoke' and eventually became the modern English word 'burdock'.

Initially, it meant 'a plant producing burrs' and over time the term has remained close to that meaning while also referring specifically to the plant's burrs and to the edible root.