boysenberry

American  

[boi-zuhn-ber-ee, -suhn-] / ˈbɔɪ zənˌbɛr i, -sən- /

noun

plural

boysenberries

1. a blackberrylike fruit with a flavor similar to that of raspberries, developed by crossing various plants of the genus Rubus.

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boysenberry British  

/ ˈbɔɪzənbərɪ /

noun

1. a type of bramble: a hybrid of the loganberry and various blackberries and raspberries

2. the large red edible fruit of this plant

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Etymology

Origin of boysenberry

1930–35; named after R. Boysen, 20th-century American botanist, who bred it

Explanation

A boysenberry is what you get when you cross a raspberry, a blackberry, and a couple of other berries. It's a soft, slightly tart fruit that's especially delicious in pies. A California horticulturalist, Rudolph Boysen, developed the boysenberry in the 1920s. Boysen experimented with cross-pollinating raspberries, blackberries, and loganberries (hybrid berries themselves) in the hopes of cultivating a big, soft berry, but he eventually abandoned the project. Berry farmer Walter Knott rescued his few last plants several years later, named them after Boysen, and found commercial success selling the large, sweet-tart berries from his farm stand.

Example Sentences

Hungry diners would flock from around Southern California for a taste of their chicken dinners and boysenberry pies.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 23, 2026

This juicy red wine is exuberantly fruity, with boysenberry and blackberry flavors just barely restrained by a savory finish of spice and wild herbs.

From Washington Post • Dec. 8, 2021

The 38-inch long coat has a stylish removable belt and hood and is available in seven colors, including black, British Khaki, moss, steel blue, boysenberry, chili red and terracotta.

From Fox News • Nov. 29, 2021

Zerba Cellars 2014 Syrah The Rocks District of Milton-Freewater, $45: This dusty, distinctive red reveals aromas and flavors of black currants, boysenberry, mocha, white pepper, clove and juicy purple fruit through the lengthy, memorable finish.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 28, 2017

Reentering the pantry, he removed a large jar of boysenberry preserves, pulling another jar forward from the second row to disguise the absence.

From "Fablehaven" by Brandon Mull