[1] From the root *nes-/nos-, as in ne/omai (see nu 133); LSJ entry at web address 1. See also alpha 2571 and nu 501.
[2] In later Greek, no/stos meant "taste" or "flavor;" see Lampe s.v. According to Chantraine, the original sense of the Indo-european root *nes-/nos- was "save," "bring back safely." In the middle, it could mean "get well" or "come back safely." Germanic derivatives have senses "save, heal, nourish." The Indian pair of gods the Asvins are called Nasyata (the 2 saviors). So evidently Greek no/stos and no/stimos preserve both senses, that of homecoming and that of healing, nourishment, extended to generally good edible qualities.
[3] Quotation unidentifiable. (Adler suggests Aelian.) Epic poems related the returns from Troy of other heroes besides Odysseus; these poems (not extant) are collectively called Nostoi.