HerHks-

rẹ̑ šǝk `sow thistle (sanchus asper)' [m o]

erškėtỹs `thorn-bush' [m jo] 3<sup>b</sup> \{1\}, ẽr(k)šk̨is, ẽrkšis `thorn-bush' [m jo]

ẽr(k)šk̨is `thorn-bush' [m jo];

ẽrkšis `thorn-bush' [m jo]

Comments: The š of Sln. rẹ̑šǝk may have originated in a form *erš-ьcь < *erx-iko- (cf. Andersen 1996: 140). Bezlaj has proposed to link the Slovene word to SCr. rèkeš `eryngo' (Dubrovnik), with metathesis (1977: 17). The etymological connection with Skt. r̥kṣára- is attractive, notwithstanding the fact that the Baltic forms seem to require a laryngeal.

Skt. r̥kṣara- `thorn'

\{1\} There are many variants, e.g. erškẽtis, erškė̃tis, (Žem.) érškẽtis (cf. Derksen 1996: 51, 149).