The etymology of coriander starts with the Greek koriannon, a combination of koris (a stinking bug) and annon (a fragrant anise). In Latin, it was spelled coriandrum, and by way of Old French it came into English as coriander in the 14th century. A historical account of Coriandrum sativum mainly Japan is presented. It had been known as a foodstuff in the 10th century, but it disappeared in the next century perhaps because of its disagreeable smell. It was reintroduced by the Portuguese in the 18th century as ko-en-do-ro in Japanese, from the Portuguses word coentro. The smell of the fresh leaves should be a product of a mixture of essential oils including d-linalol or coriandrol.