Wood-sorrel, Oxalis Acetosella, which flowers at the time the cuckoo is heard; also called gowk’s-meat.
1516. Gt. Herbal, Contents ch. 1, Alleluya, wood sorell or cocowes meate.
1538. Turner, Libellus. Cuckowes meat, Oxys.
1578. Lyte, Dodoens, IV. xliii. 503. This herbe is called in … English Wood-sorel … Cockowes meate.
1853. G. Johnston, Nat. Hist. E. Bord., 50.
1860. H. Marryat, Resid. Jutland, I. v. 74. The forest is carpeted with the green trefoil leaves of the Siögemad, or cuckoo’s meat.
b. Locally applied, in error, to Robert’s Geranium, G. Robertianum; Greater Stitchwort, Stellaria Holostea; and Sour Dock, Rumex Acetosella.
