E. Cobham Brewer 18101897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
(a fern, so-called from its hair-like stalks) never takes wet or moisture.
His skin is like the herb called true Maidens hair, which never takes wet or moisture, but still keeps dry, though laid at the bottom of a river as long as you please. For this reason it is called Adiantos.Rabelais: Pantagruel, iv. 24.