Also 6–7 ale-coast. [f. ALE- 4 + COST, ad. L. costum, -us, -os, a. Gr. κόστος an unidentified plant used as spice.] A Composite plant (Balsamita vulgaris or Chrysanthemum balsamita) allied to Tansy, so called because formerly much used for giving to ale an agreeable aromatic and bitter flavor.
1589. Cogan (in Prior, Plant-names).
1597. Gerard, Herbal, II. cxcviii. 524. Called in English Costmarie and Ale-coast.
1676. Beal, in Phil. Trans., XI. 587. Ale-cost … famous for dispatching the maturation of Ale and Beer.
1866. W. Booth, in Treas. Bot., 119. The common Costmary or Alecost is a native of Italy, whence it was introduced in 1568.
