fem. proper name, Latin fem. of angelicus "angelic" (see angelic). As a type of plant, 1570s, probably so called for its scent.
Entries linking to angelica
angelic adj.
early 14c., "consisting of angels;" late 14c., "like or befitting an angel;" mid-15c., "pertaining to angels," from Old French angelique "angelic" (13c., Modern French angélique), from Latin angelicus, from Greek angelikos "angelic," from angelos (see angel). The sense of "wonderfully pure, sweet" is recorded from early 16c. Related: Angelically.