søterot

From søte (“sweet thing”) +‎ rot (“root”). Alternatively, from søte f (“gentian or polypody”).

(gentian): According to Aasen, the first part is used ironically in reference to its bitter taste.

(polypody): calque of Ancient Greek γλυκύρριζα (glukúrrhiza) from γλυκύς (glukús, “sweet”) + ῥίζα (rhíza, “root”), probably through some other language (compare German Süßholz and Swedish sötrot (“gentian or glycyrrhiza”)).

søterot f (definite singular søterota, indefinite plural søterøter, definite plural søterøtene)

1. (botany, Hallingdal, Valdres) gentian (a plant of the genus Gentiana)

   Synonym: skjærsøte

2. (dialectal) synonym of sisselrot (“common polypody, Polypodium vulgare”)

• søterotfamilien

• “søterot” in The Nynorsk Dictionary.
• “søterot” in Ivar Aasen (1873) Norsk Ordbog med dansk Forklaring