dog-fennel
|dog-fen-nel|
🇺🇸
/ˈdɔɡˌfɛnəl/
🇬🇧
/ˈdɒɡˌfɛnəl/
fennel-like weed
Etymology
'dog-fennel' originates from English, specifically the compound 'dog' + 'fennel', where 'dog' was used as a pejorative prefix meaning 'inferior' or 'worthless' and 'fennel' referred to the herb 'fennel'.
'fennel' comes from Old English 'fenol' (from Latin 'foeniculum', diminutive of 'foenum' meaning 'hay'); the prefix 'dog-' was used in Middle English to form compounds (e.g. 'dog-rose') indicating an inferior or common form, and the compound 'dog-fennel' developed in English to name fennel-like weeds.
Initially it meant 'a plant resembling fennel (but considered inferior)'; over time it became a fixed common name for certain specific weedy species (notably Eupatorium capillifolium) and broadly for similar fennel-like weeds.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a North American perennial herb (chiefly Eupatorium capillifolium) with feathery, fennel-like foliage and small composite flower heads; often regarded as a weed.
Dog-fennel has spread across the abandoned lot, its feathery leaves visible from the road.
Synonyms
Noun 2
any of several aromatic or feathery plants that resemble true fennel but are regarded as inferior or weedy species.
In some regions 'dog-fennel' is applied to a variety of low-value, fennel-like weeds.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/10/07 07:26