Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary, 11th Edition
CLOVE
I. noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English clufu; akin to Old English clēofan to cleave Date: before 12th century one of the small bulbs (as in garlic) developed in the axils of the scales of a large bulb, see: cleave
III. noun
Etymology: alteration of Middle English clowe, from Anglo-French clou (de girofle), literally, nail of clove, from Latin clavus nail
Date: 13th century
the dried flower bud of a tropical tree ( Syzygium aromaticum syn. Eugenia aromatica ) of the myrtle family that is used as a spice and is the source of an oil