tarragon
nounUS /ˈtæɹəɡɑn/ · UK /ˈtæɹəɡən/
Etymology Borrowed from Middle French targon (cf. modern estragon), from Medieval Latin tragonia, from Arabic طَرْخُون (ṭarḵūn), ultimately from Ancient Greek δρακόντιον (drakóntion, “dragonwort, Dracunculus vulgaris”), from δράκων (drákōn, “dragon, serpent”). Doublet of estragon.
1
Usually A perennial herb, the wormwood species Artemisia dracunculus, from Europe and parts of Asia.
2
Usually The leaves of this plant (either fresh, or preserved in a vinegar/oil mixture) used as a seasoning.
- Herbs like tarragon are better preserved in vinegar, since tarragon loses its flavor when dried.2016, Susan Belsinger, Arthur O. Tucker, The Culinary Herbal, Timber Press, →ISBN, page 299:
- Synonyms
- estragon, dragon's wort, French tarragon, Russian tarragon, silky wormwood, wild tarragon
- Derived terms
- Mexican tarragon