[L. agnus, a. Gr. ἄγνος name of the tree, confused with ἁγνύς chaste, whence the second word L. castus chaste.] A tree, species of Vitex (V. Agnus Castus), once believed to be a preservative of chastity; called also Chaste-tree and Abraham’s Balm (? Baum).
1398. Trevisa, Barth. De P. R., XVII. xv. (1495), 612. The herbe Agnus castus is alwaye grene, and the flowre therof is namly callyd Agnus castus, for wyth smelle and vse it makyth men chaste as a lombe.
c. 1400. Floure & Leafe, 173. A braunch of Agnus castus eke bearing In her hand.
1741. Compl. Fam. Piece, II. iii. 386. Agnus Castus or the Chaste Tree.
1881. Stanley, Chr. Instit., i. 2. The sacred river rushes through its thicket of tamarisk, poplar, willow and agnus-castus.
