horseweed

[ hawrs-weed ]

noun

1. a North American composite weed, weed, Erigeron canadensis, having narrow, hairy leaves and clusters of very small greenish-white flowers.
2. horse balm.
3. any of various other common weeds weed with small yellow flowers.

horseweed

/ ˈhɔːsˌwiːd /

noun

1. the US name for Canadian fleabane See fleabane

Word History and Origins

Origin of horseweed¹

An Americanism dating back to 1780–90; horse + weed ¹

Example Sentences

He came out upon the road slowly and stopped there, switching his legs absently with the stalk of a horseweed.

From Project Gutenberg

And I know that, in the same mood, she dowered the vulgar horseweed with the breath of the mignonette.

From Project Gutenberg