thistle

Etymology

From Middle English thistel, from Old English þistel, from Proto-West Germanic *þistil, from Proto-Germanic *þistilaz. *þīh- from *teyg-, which is a variant of Proto-Indo-European *(s)teyg- (“to prick”); from this same Proto-Indo-European root comes English stick. Cognates include Scots thrissel, German Distel, Dutch distel and Icelandic þistill.

noun

1. Any of several perennial composite plants, especially of genera Cirsium, Carduus, Cynara, or Onopordum, having prickly leaves and showy flower heads with prickly bracts.
   Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field …. , Genesis 3:18
2. This plant seen as the national emblem of Scotland.
3. (heraldry) This plant used as a charge.
4. The Order of the Thistle, or membership thereof.
   Here's a passage which will please you: ‘It is said that when rich he twice refused the thistle.’ 1978, Lawrence Durrell, Livia (Avignon Quintet), Faber & Faber, published 1992, page 324