O.E. blostm, blostma "blossom, flower," from P.Gmc. *blo-s- (cf. M.L.G. blosom, Du. bloesem, Ger. Blust), from PIE *bhlow-, extended form of *bhel- (3) "to thrive, bloom," possibly identical with *bhel- (2) "to blow, swell" (see bole). This is the native word, now largely superseded