cohosh
noun/kəˈhɒʃ/
Etymology From an Algonquian word meaning rough, probably from Eastern Abenaki / Penobscot *kkwὰhas. Compare Massachusett kushki (“(it is) rough”). Compare English cocash.
1
A perennial American herb (Caulophyllum thalictroides), the rough rootstock of which is used in medicine.
2
A smooth herb, Actaea racemosa, marketed for medicinal use.
- Synonyms
- blue cohosh, squaw root, papoose root, Cimicifuga racemosa, black cohosh, black bugbane, black snakeroot, fairy candle