Also 6–8 eringo, 6–7 aphet. ringo. [Immediate source uncertain: perhaps a corrupt adoption of It. or Sp. eringio, ad. L. ēryngion, a. Gr. ἠρύγγιον, dim. of ἤρυγγος the name of this plant, also a goat’s beard.]
1. † a. The candied root of the Sea Holly (Eryngium maritimum), formerly used as sweetmeat, and regarded as an aphrodisiac. Obs. b. In later use, the plant itself, or any other of the same genus. (In this sense the L. eryngium was used by earlier writers.)
a. 1598. Shaks., Merry W., V. v. 23. Let it … haile kissing Comfits, and snow Eringoes.
1599. Marston, Sco. Villanie, I. iii. 181. Camphire and Lettuce chaste Are clean casheird, now Sophi Ringoes eate.
1616. R. C., Times’ Whis., VI. 2771. Candid eringoes, and rich marchpaine stuff.
c. 1630. Risdon, Surv. Devon, § 277 (1810), 288. Sea-holly groweth plentifully, whose roots are called eringo.
1681. Otway, Soldier’s Fort., V. Here child, here’s some Ringoes.
1709. Pope, Jan. & May, 377. Satyrion near, with hot Eringo’s stood.
b. [1616. Surfl. & Markh., Countrey Farme, 203. Eringium groweth in an vntilled, rough, and drie ground.
1626. Bacon, Sylva (1631), § 53. Some few Slices of Eryngium Roots.]
1668. Wilkins, Real Char., II. iv. § 4. 94. Spicate Herbs…. Eringo.
1695. Blackmore, Pr. Arth., V. 439/140. In verdant Samphire, and Eringo drest.
1718. Quincy, Compl. Disp., 120. Eryngo grows in sandy places, and near the Sea-Shore.
1798. Canning, New Morality, in Anti-Jacobin, No. 36 (1852), 212. Eringoes o’er the hallow’d spot shall bloom.
1861. Miss Pratt, Flower. Pl., III. 4 Eryngium (Eryngo). Flowers in a dense prickly head.
2. attrib., esp. eryngo-root.
1634–5. Althorp MS., in Simpkinson, Washingtons (1860), p. lxix. For ashen keyes and eringo rootes.
1656. Evelyn, Mem. (1857), I. 332. Colchester … is also famous for oysters and Eringo root.
1709. Prior, Paulo Purganti, 72. One might see Eringo Roots and Bohé Tea.
1848. C. A. Johns, Week at Lizard, 283. Candied Eryngo-root.
