cocklebur

[ kok-uhl-bur ]

noun

1. any composite plant of the genus Xanthium, comprising coarse weeds with spiny burs. bur.
2. the burdock, Arctium lappa.

cocklebur

/ ˈkɒkəlˌbɜː /

noun

1. any coarse weed of the genus Xanthium, having spiny burs: family Asteraceae (composites)
2. the bur of any of these plants

Word History and Origins

Origin of cocklebur¹

First recorded in 1795–1805; cockle ² + bur ¹