witchen

The quick-beam [_ornus_, or as the _pinax_ more peculiarly, _fraxinus bubula_; others, the wild sorb] or (as some term it) the witchen, is a species of wild-ash.

Sylva, Vol. 1 (of 2) Or A Discourse of Forest Trees John Evelyn 1663

Cambro-Britannica_; reputed to be a preservative against fascinations and evil-spirits; whence, perhaps, we call it witchen; the boughs being stuck about the house, or the wood used for walking-staves.

Sylva, Vol. 1 (of 2) Or A Discourse of Forest Trees John Evelyn 1663

(like those of the elm) relief to our cattle in winter; and there is a dwarf-sort in France, (if in truth it be not, as I suspect, our witchen-tree) whose berries feed the poor people in scarce years; but it bears no keys, like to ours, which being pickled tender, afford a delicate salading.

Sylva, Vol. 1 (of 2) Or A Discourse of Forest Trees John Evelyn 1663