plantain

Etymology 1

From Middle English planteyne, planteyn, from Anglo-Norman plainteine et al., Old French plaintain, from Latin plantāgō, from planta (“sole of the foot”), a nasalized form of Proto-Indo-European *pleth₂- (“flat; to spread”), because of the broad, flat shape of the plantain leaves.

noun

1. A plant of the genus Plantago, with a rosette of sessile leaves about 10 cm (4") long with a narrow part instead of a petiole, and with a spike inflorescence with the flower spacing varying widely among the species. See also psyllium.
   The roots of Plantain and Pellitory of Spain beaten to powder and put into hollow teeth, takes away the pains of them. 1653, Nicholas Culpeper, The English Physician Enlarged, Folio Society, published 2007, page 225
   The paths too are overgrown, but easily identified by the presence on them of round-leaved plantains. 2003, Ernst Jünger, translated by Michael Hofmann, Storm of Steel, Penguin, published 2004, page 41

Etymology 2

From Spanish plantano, obsolete variant of plátano, from Galibi Carib platana (“banana”).

noun

1. A plant in the genus Musa, the genus that includes banana, but with lower sugar content than banana.
2. The fruit of the plant, usually cooked before eating and used like potatoes.