Brewer's: Rogation Week

used to be called Gang Week, from the custom of ganging round the country parishes to mark their bounds. Similarly, the weed Milkwort is still called Rogation or Gang-flower, from the custom of decorating the pole (carried on such occasions by the charity children) with these flowers.

Source: Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, E. Cobham Brewer, 1894
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