An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Majoran

by Friedrich Kluge

Majoran, m., ‘marjoram,’ in MidHG. meigramme, m., and also meiron, meieron, ‘marjoram.’ From MidLat. majorana; the MidHG. words seem to be based in sound on meie, ‘May.’ Comp. Ital. majorana, Fr. marjolaine, E. marjoram; the last two have also been corrupted?. The ultimate source of the- word is Gr. ἁμάρακον, whence Lat. amaracus and majoracus (based on major).