'mistletoe' originates from Old English, specifically the word 'misteltān', where 'mistel' meant 'mistle' (bird droppings or dung) and 'tān' meant 'twig' or 'sprig'.

'misteltān' changed into Middle English forms such as 'misteltone' and 'mistletoe', eventually becoming the modern English word 'mistletoe'.

Initially, it literally meant 'dung-twig' (reflecting how birds spread its seeds), but over time it came to mean the plant itself and, later, the decorative sprig associated with Christmas.