Etymology
Old English "leac," from Germanic.

An edible plant with long green leaves, grown for its white part, the single cylindrical stem made up of long, flat interwoven leaves buried in the earth.

Eaten by the ancient Egyptians, the leek was also the favorite vegetable of the Roman Emperor Nero who used it to clear his throat. Found in all European civilizations, it became the emblem of Wales after a memorable battle in which the Welsh wore leeks as distinguishing marks on their hats.