Sorrel is a plant whose leaves have a bitter taste and are sometimes used in salads and sauces.
sorrel in British English1
(ˈsɒrəl)
noun
1.
a.
a light brown to brownish-orange colour
b.
(as adjective)
a sorrel carpet
2.
a horse of this colour
Word origin
C15: from Old French sorel, from sor a reddish brown, of Germanic origin; related to Middle Dutch soor desiccated
sorrel in British English2
(ˈsɒrəl)
noun
1.
any of several polygonaceous plants of the genus Rumex, esp R. acetosa, of Eurasia and North America, having acid-tasting leaves used in salads and sauces
See also dock4, sheep sorrel
2. short for wood sorrel
Word origin
C14: from Old French surele, from sur sour, of Germanic origin; related to Old High German sūrsour
sorrel in American English1
(ˈsɔrəl; ˈsɑrəl)
noun
1.
any of various short, coarse weeds (genus Rumex) of the buckwheat family, with sour, edible leaves
see also dock4
2.
wood sorrel
Word origin
ME sorel < OFr surele < Frank *sur; akin to OHG sur, sour
sorrel in American English2
(ˈsɔrəl; ˈsɑrəl)
noun
1.
light reddish brown
2.
a horse or other animal of this color
adjective
3.
light reddish-brown
Word origin
LME < OFr sorel < sor, sore, light brown < ML saurus < Gmc *saur, light brown, color of dry leaves, orig., dry, akin to sear1