alpisten.

Etymology: < French alpiste (1660; also 1660 as †alpistre ) < Spanish alpiste (late 15th cent.) < Spanish Arabic al-bišṭ < al the + bišṭ seed of the canary grass (11th cent.) < post-classical Latin pistum (a636 in Isidore), probably a specific use of classical Latin pistum (see pesto n.).Compare Dutch alpister (1570 as †alpistel ; also 1597 as †alpistre ), probably (despite the chronology) < French. In the form alpistle perhaps after Dutch †alpistel (see above). Compare also use in this sense of alpia , although the origin of this form is unclear. It may show alteration of the ending of the present word after formations in -ia suffix¹:1756 R. Rolt New Dict. Trade Alpiste or Alpia, a sort of seed, sold by corn-chandlers, for feeding birds, especially in the time of breeding.1859 J. E. Worcester Dict. Eng. Lang. Alpist or Alpia.