- sorrel (adj.)
- "reddish brown," early 15c., from Middle French sorel, from sor "yellowish-brown," probably from Frankish *saur "dried" (cf. Middle Dutch soor "dry," Old High German soren "to become dry," Old English sear "withered, barren;" see sere). Perhaps a diminutive form.
- sorrel (n.)
- "small perennial plant," c.1400, from Old French surele (12c.), from sur "sour," from Frankish *sur (cf. Old High German, Old English sur "sour;" see sour). So called for the taste of its leaves.