wyrtweard

From wyrt (“plant”) +‎ weard (“ward”). Compare wuduweard (“forester”), which is formed similarly.

• IPA^(key): /ˈwyrtˌwæ͜ɑrd/, [ˈwyrˠtˌwæ͜ɑrˠd]

wyrtweard m

1. gardener
   • c. 990, Wessex Gospels, John 20:15

     Þā cwæþ sē Hǣlend tō hire, "Wīf, hwȳ wēpst þū? Hwone sēcst þū?" Hēo wēnde þæt hit sē wyrtweard wǣre, and cwæþ tō him, "Lēof, ġif þū hine nāme, sæġe mē hwǣr þū hine leġde, and iċ hine nime."

     Then Jesus said to her (Mary Magdalene), "Ma'am, why are you crying? Who are you looking for?" Thinking he was the gardener, she said to him, "Sir, if you took him (Jesus' dead body) somewhere, then tell me where you put him, and I will take him."