Editing Sweetbread (section)

==Etymology==

The word ''sweetbread'' is first attested in the 16th century, but the [[etymology]] of the name is unclear.<ref name=oed>{{Cite OED|sweetbread|4658000352}}</ref> ''[[Sweetness|Sweet]]'' is perhaps used since the thymus is sweet and rich-tasting, as opposed to [[Umami|savory]]-tasting muscle flesh.<ref>{{cite journal |url=http://www.takeourword.com/TOW176/page2.html |title=Words to the Wise |issue=176 |page=2 |journal=Take Our Word for It |date=14 November 2002 |access-date=2012-02-06}}</ref> ''Bread'' may come from [[Middle English]] ''brede'', meaning "roast meat".<ref>{{Cite OED|brede|8047453319}}</ref>