in full yerba-maté. Also yerva. [Sp. yerba herb + mate MATÉ.] = MATÉ 2 a, b.
1818. Amer. State Papers, For. Relat. (1834), IV. 279. The yerba is used in decoction, like the tea of China.
1843. Chem. Gaz., 1 March, 233. Yerba Maté, or Paraguay Tea.
1855. J. F. W. Johnston, Chem. Common Life, vii. I. 184. A kind of arch … upon which the Yerba branches are placed.
1858. Simmonds, Dict. Trade, Yerva-mate.
1902. H. Hesketh Prichard, Thro’ Heart of Patagonia, xii. 177. He seemed to have no provisions, only a bag of yerba.
Hence Yerbal [Sp. yerbál], a grove or plantation of yerba.
1858. Simmonds, Dict. Trade, Yerbal, a forest or wild grove of the Ilex Paraguayensis, the holly from the leaves of which the Paraguay tea is obtained.
1883. [see MATÉ 2 c].
