Definition of herb

The word "herb" has its roots in ancient languages. In Latin, the word "herba" referred to a plant, especially a green one used for flavoring or medicine. The Latin "herba" is derived from the Proto-Indo-European root "*gher-", which meant "to grow" or "to sprout". Through Middle English, the word "herb" evolved from the Old French "herbe", which also came from the Latin "herba". In Middle English, the word "herb" was used to refer to both grasses and plants used for flavoring or medicine. Over time, the meaning of "herb" narrowed to specifically refer to plants used for flavoring, medicine, or as garnishes, while "grass" became a separate term. Today, the word "herb" is widely used to refer to a variety of plants, from basil to thyme, that add flavor and flavor to our foods.