'madwort' originates from Middle English, specifically the word 'maddewort', where 'madde' meant 'mad' and 'wort' meant 'plant'.

'maddewort' changed from the Middle English word 'maddewort' and eventually became the modern English word 'madwort'.

Initially, it meant 'a plant believed to cure madness', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a plant of the genus Alyssum'.