'southernwood' originates from Old English, specifically the word 'sūðerne wudu', where 'sūðerne' meant 'southern' and 'wudu' meant 'wood'.

'sūðerne wudu' transformed into the Middle English word 'southerne wode', and eventually became the modern English word 'southernwood'.

Initially, it meant 'a wood from the south', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a type of aromatic shrub'.