dial. [Cf. BOY’S LOVE.] The Southern-wood (Artemisia Abrotanum).
a. 1895. Forby, Voc. E. Anglia, Lad’s-love, the herb southernwood.
1827. Clare, Sheph. Cal., 58. Sprigs of lad’s love.
1851. Mayhew, Lond. Labour, I. 137. Southernwood (called ‘lad’s love’ or ‘old man’ by some).
1884. J. Hatton, in Harper’s Mag., July, 234/2. It grows … roses, and ‘lad’s-love,’ or ‘old-man.’
