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witch hazel (n.)
1540s, probably from Old English wice "Applied generally or vaguely to various trees having pliant branches" [OED], from wican "to bend" (from PIE root *weik- (2) "to bend, to wind") + hæsel, used for any bush of the pine family (see hazel (n.)). The North American bush, from which a soothing lotion is made, was so called from 1670s. This is the source of the verb witch in dowsing.
updated on October 19, 2017
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Dictionary entries near witch hazel
wist
Wisteria
wistful
wit
witch
witch hazel
witch hunt
witchcraft
witchery
witchy
witenagemot