Today’s Best Word Ever is fenugreek: a leguminous annual Eurasian herb with aromatic seeds; the word also refers to its small, stony seeds, which among other purposes are ground and roasted and used to flavor curry.

A noun, Middle English fenugrek, from Anglo-French fenugrec, from Latin fenum Graecum, “Greek hay.” First known use: 14th century.

Grown in India, Morocco, Egypt and England, fenugreek has strong, aromatic, and bittersweet seeds that when roasted or powdered are used to steep fever-reducing teas; help create soothing lip balms, tonics, and healing ointments; sweeten candies as well as flavor spicy curries; and even season cattle food.

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Yum: aloo gobi!