parsnip

American  

[pahr-snip] / ˈpɑr snɪp /

noun

1. a plant, Pastinaca sativa, cultivated varieties of which have a large, whitish, edible root.

2. the root of this plant.

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parsnip British  

/ ˈpɑːsnɪp /

noun

1. a strong-scented umbelliferous plant, Pastinaca sativa, cultivated for its long whitish root

2. the root of this plant, eaten as a vegetable

3. any of several similar plants, esp the cow parsnip

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Etymology

Origin of parsnip

1350–1400; earlier pars ( e ) nep, pass ( e ) nep, Middle English pas ( t ) nep ( e ) < Latin past ( ināca ) parsnip (derivative of pastinum forked dibble) + Middle English nep turnip; see neep

Example Sentences

There were oysters, salmon with Hollandaise sauce, beef, squab, duck, roast chicken, green peas, parsnip purée and Victoria pudding.

From New York Times • Nov. 9, 2023

Paul Proud's cabbage, parsnip, carrot, beetroot and cucumber emerged triumphant in their respective categories.

From BBC • Sep. 17, 2023

The first plants to grow back, including huckleberry, cow parsnip and horsetail, are often plants that grizzlies like to eat.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 26, 2023

Although I will always grow my own parsnip seed, I have been trying something called population seed, mixing up the different varieties.

From Salon • Sep. 11, 2022

“Some soup to start with, sir? Spiced parsnip today.”

From "The Book of Dust: La Belle Sauvage" by Philip Pullman