From Greek 'thymon,' from 'thyein' (to burn)—the herb was named for its use as temple incense.
A low-growing aromatic herb of the mint family, used in cooking and formerly in medicine and incense.
From Old French 'thym,' from Latin 'thymum,' from Greek 'thymon,' probably from 'thyein' (to burn, to sacrifice). Thyme was burned as incense in Greek temples, and the plant was named for that sacred use. Key roots: thyein (Greek: "to burn, to sacrifice").
The thymus gland is named after thyme—Renaissance anatomists thought the organ resembled a bunch of thyme flowers.