alatern
/ˈalətəːn/(also alaternus) Now rare
noun
An evergreen buckthorn of southern Europe, Rhamnus alaternus (family Rhamnaceae), with alternate oval leaves, greenish flowers, and dark red to black fruit; especially (also with distinguishing word or words) any of the cultivated varieties of this grown for ornament or hedging.
Origin
Early 17th century; earliest use found in Edward Topsell (d. 1625), Church of England clergyman and author. From classical Latin alaternus, shrub of the genus buckthorn, of unknown origin.