'spurge' originates from Middle English (also found as 'spurge'), likely borrowed from Old French 'espurge' and ultimately associated with Medieval Latin forms related to the idea of 'purging' because some species were used medicinally as purgatives.

'spurge' changed from Old French 'espurge' (and Medieval Latin forms) into Middle English 'spurge' and then into the modern English word 'spurge'.

Initially associated with the plant's medicinal use as a purgative, over time the word's primary meaning settled on the plant itself (genus Euphorbia) rather than the effect.