From Old English 'hymlic,' of uncertain origin—the name of the poison plant that killed Socrates.
A highly poisonous plant of the parsley family (Conium maculatum), or a North American coniferous tree (Tsuga) with similar-looking foliage.
From Old English 'hymlic' or 'hemlic,' of uncertain origin—possibly from 'healm' (straw, stalk). The name was transferred to the unrelated North American tree because early colonists thought its feathery needles resembled hemlock leaves. Key roots: hymlic (Old English: "hemlock (uncertain further)").