Also spurge-laurel. [SPURGE sb.1] One or other of the shrubs belonging to the genus Daphne, esp. D. laureola, the dried bark of which is used in medicine.
1597. Gerarde, Herbal, 1218. Spurge Laurell is a shrub of a cubit high, oftentimes also of two. Ibid., 1219. Laureola florens, Laurell, or Spurge Laurell flowring.
1611. Cotgr., Laureole, Lowrie, Lauriell, spurge Laurell, little Laurell.
1668. Wilkins, Real Char., 109. Bacciferous sempervirent shrubs…: Spurge Laurel.
1725. Fam. Dict., s.v. Laurel, The Female Spurge Laurel, has Boughs which grow four Foot high.
1760. J. Lee, Introd. Bot., App. 328. Spurge Laurel, Daphne.
1845. Lindley, Sch. Bot., 113. Daphne pontica (Long-flowered Spurge Laurel).
1882. Garden, 18 Feb., 112/1. The Spurge Laurel and Mezereon have highly fragrant flowers.
