anyswortel, noun

/aˈneɪs ˌvɔ(r)t(ə)l/
Forms:
anijswortel, anyse wortelShow more Also anijswortel, anyse wortel, and formerly also partial translation anise wortel.
Origin:
South African Dutch, DutchShow more South African Dutch, from Dutch anijs anise + wortel root.
Any of several species of plant of the genus Annesorrhiza of the Umbelliferae, having edible, anise-flavoured tubers.
1790 tr. of F. Le Vaillant’s Trav. II. 85Two other roots of the size of one’s finger, but exceedingly long..are to be met with in the colonies, where they are known, one under the name of anys-wortel, and the other under that of vinkel-wortel.
1795 C.R. Hopson tr. of C.P. Thunberg’s Trav. I. 149The root of Anise (anys-wortel) was eaten here roasted, and tasted well; it is either roasted in the embers, or boiled in milk, or else stewed with meat.
1809 J. Mackrill Diary. 56Anise Wortel and Gatagey, Tentandria umbelliferous plants, the Dutch eat thr Roots.
[1837 Ecklon & Zeyher Enumeratio Plantarum Africae 344Annesorhiza capensis...Incolis: Vlackte Anyswortel...Annesorhiza montana...Incolis: Berg Anyswortel.]
1856 L. Pappe in Cape of G.H. Almanac & Annual Register 341Annesorhiza Capensis. Ch Schltdl. (Umbelliferae) The turnip-like root of this umbelliferous plant is very nutritious and has been used for many years past as food by the natives and colonists who call it Anise-root (Anijs-wortel).
1868 W.H. Harvey Genera of S. Afr. Plants 141Biennials or perennials, with aromatic roots; Anyswartel [sic] of colonists.
1917 R. Marloth Dict. of Common Names of Plants 6Anijswortel, Annesorrhiza montana and A. macrocarpa. Perennial plants..gathered at the beginning of summer and used as a vegetable, tasting somewhat like parsnips.
1966 C.A. Smith Common Names 63The probabilities are that the name Anyswortel gained currency for one or more species of Annesorrhiza during van Riebeeck’s time, though the name was only mentioned some 45 years later.
1971 L.G. Green Taste of S.-Easter 82The sweetish suikerwortel or anyswortel, rather like the parsnip of civilisation, was another Cape root that helped to cure scurvy.
Any of several species of plant of the genus Annesorrhiza of the Umbelliferae, having edible, anise-flavoured tubers.
Entry Navigation

Visualise Quotations

Quotation summary

Senses

17901971

Browse Related Words

By Category

Plants

By Origin

Dutch
Anti-Cad, nounn.apartheid, nounn.
Copyright © 2025 Dictionary Unit for South African English