[COW sb.1 9.] A name of the umbelliferous plant Anthriscus (Chærophyllum) sylvestris, wild in Britain, also called COW-WEED, Wild Chervil or Cicely. (Of recent origin.)
1776. J. Lightfoot, Flora Scot.
1794. Martyn, Rousseaus Bot., xvii. 231. The first [Wild Chervil] vulgarly called Cow-weed or Cow-parsley, has a smooth streaked stalk.
1800. Sir J. E. Smith, Flora Brit., I. 326. Chærophyllum sylvestre, Smooth Cowparsley, Wild chervil.
1882. Garden, 25 March, 202/3. The Cow Parsnip and Cow Parsley, are often used in connection with other large and umbrageous plants.