Woodruffs

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. Fragrant low-growing European plants of shady woodland, with whorled leaves and small white flowers, whose dried leaves are used to flavor drinks
2. Shade-loving perennial herbs of the bedstraw family that produce sweet-smelling foliage and clusters of tiny white blossoms in forests
3. Aromatic woodland herbs with star-shaped whorls of leaves, valued historically for scenting wine, cordials and May punch

Etymology: "Woodruffs" is simply the plural of "woodruff", the name of a small, sweet-smelling woodland plant with whorled leaves and white flowers. The singular is the word that matters, and its history is in its two parts: it comes from Old English "wudurofe", combining "wudu", meaning "wood", with "rofe". That second element is the puzzle. Its meaning and origin are uncertain, so the word's final half remains unexplained, even though the "wood" half is clear.