crab grass

noun

1. an annual grass, Digitaria sanguinalis, common in cultivated and waste grounds and often occurring as a pest weed in lawns.

crab grass

noun

1. any of several coarse weedy grasses of the genus Digitaria, which grow in warm regions and tend to displace other grasses in lawns

Word History and Origins

Origin of crab grass¹

First recorded in 1590–1600

Example Sentences

In the economy of farmers entirely up against the crab-grass in the cotton-patch, the mule is mightier than the sword.

From Project Gutenberg

In another column a Kansas correspondent speaks of the crab grass in an exceedingly favorable way.

From Project Gutenberg

Last spring I fenced twelve acres of old stalk ground well seeded to crab grass.

From Project Gutenberg

It is known as crop grass, crab grass, wire grass, and crow's foot (Eleusine Indica).

From Project Gutenberg

In my opinion, crab-grass would answer well for pasture-grass in moist situations.

From Project Gutenberg