U.S. Also Jim(p)sonweed. [f. Jamestown, in Virginia.] The Thorn-apple, Datura Stramonium.
1687. J. Clayton, in Phil. Trans., XLI. 160. Several of them [the Soldiers] went to gather a Sallad … and lighting in great Quantities on an Herb called Iames-town-weed, they gathered it; and by eating thereof in plenty, were rendered apish and foolish.
1700. J. Lawson, Carolina (1718), 78. James-Town-Weed … is excellent for curing Burns and asswaging Inflammations.
1880. ‘Mark Twain,’ Tramp Abr., I. 220. The village jokers came creeping stealthily through the jimpson weeds and sunflowers.
1892. Ruth McEnery Stuart, in Harper’s Mag., LXXXIV. 936/2. The front yard was overrun with cockleburs and ‘jimsonweed.’
