Herb. Forms: 3–5 avence, 5 avance, avans, 6 avaunce, 6–7 auens, 6– avens. [a. OF. avence; in med.L. avencia, -ancia, -antia; origin unknown.] Popular name of two species of the genus Geum (N.O. Rosaceæ), the Wood Avens or Herb Bennet (G. urbanum), formerly used medicinally and to give a clove-like flavor to ale, and Water Avens (G. rivale); also applied to the subalpine Mountain Avens (Dryas octopetala).
c. 1250. in Wright, Voc. (W.), /555. Avencia, avence, harefot.
c. 1420. Liber Cocorum (1862), 42. Rede nettel crop and avans also.
a. 1500. Rel. Ant., I. 53. Tak avaunce, matfelon, yarow.
1578. Lyte, Dodoens, 133. The leaues of Sanamunda, Auens, or Herbe Bennet, are rough.
1616. Surflet, Countr. Farm, 182. Costmarie and Auens … haue the taste of Pepper and Cloues.
1858. Kingsley, Misc., I. 176. The avens—fairest and most modest of all the water-side nymphs … with a soft blush upon her tawny cheek.
1863. Baring-Gould, Iceland, 190. The pale mountain avens with its sunny heart.
