Word Origin & History
olivec.1200, "olive tree," from O.Fr. olive, from L. oliva "olive, olive tree," from Gk. elaia "olive tree, olive," probably from the same Aegean language (perhaps Cretan) as Armenian ewi "oil." Applied to the fruit or berry of the tree in Eng. from late 14c. Olive branch as a token of peace is from early
13c.