A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2001 (DOST Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Stifling-grass, n. [? Cf. e.m.E. stifling (a1560) suffocating, smothering.] The royal fern, osmunda regalis. See also Lane-onion n. —1684 Symson Descr. Galloway 78.
The true osmunda regalis, or filix florida, … they call this plant also by the name of stifling-grasse, and they make much use of it for the consolidating of broken bones or straines, ether in man or beast, by steeping the root thereof in water, till it become like to glue-water or size, wherewith they wash the place affected with very good success
