grass sponge

American  

noun

1. a large, dark brown, commercial sponge, Spongia graminea, of Florida, the West Indies, and the Gulf of Mexico.

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Etymology

Origin of grass sponge

An Americanism dating back to 1870–75

Example Sentences

For when he was clumsy with the pole, Pedro only swore softly in Spanish, but when he brought up a worthless grass sponge, the big oar was lifted, and the boy might have been knocked overboard but for the iron claw which he held high, while a purpose gleamed in his eye which made Pedro peaceful.

From Project Gutenberg

They squeezed out of this grass sponge a calabash full of water, and George ran with it to the panting beast.

From Project Gutenberg