husk

[huhsk]

noun

the dry external covering of certain fruits or seeds, especially of an ear of corn.

the enveloping or outer part of anything, especially when dry or worthless.

verb (used with object)

to remove the husk from.

Origin of husk

1350–1400; Middle English huske, equivalent to hus- (akin to Old English hosu pod, husk) + -ke, weak variant of -ock

Related formshusk·er, nounhusk·like, adjectiveun·husked, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for husker

Contemporary Examples of husker

But when I went into the bathroom all I saw were picture of bands from the 90s—Pearl Jam and Husker Du.
He Left Nirvana Because He Had Cooler Things to Do. Like Going to Iraq.
Jacob Siegel
April 12, 2014

Historical Examples of husker

These stalks may always be saved by the use of the husker and shredder.
Agriculture for Beginners
Charles William Burkett
The nuts are run through the husker a couple of times to assure a clean job of husking.
Northern Nut Growers Association Thirty-Fourth Annual Report 1943
Various
The nuts are gathered into bushel baskets and hauled in a pick-up truck to the husker.
Northern Nut Growers Association Thirty-Fourth Annual Report 1943
Various
The cleanly husked nuts drop into a basket at the end of the husker.
Northern Nut Growers Association Thirty-Fourth Annual Report 1943
Various
Corn after being matured and cut can be put in shocks and left thus until dry enough to run through the husker and shredder.
Agriculture for Beginners
Charles William Burkett

British Dictionary definitions for husker

husk

noun

the external green or membranous covering of certain fruits and seeds

any worthless outer covering

verb

(tr) to remove the husk from

Derived Formshusker, nounhusklike, adjective

Word Origin for husk

C14: probably based on Middle Dutch huusken little house, from hūs house; related to Old English hosu husk, hūs house

husk

noun

bronchitis in cattle, sheep, and goats, usually caused by lungworm infestation

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for husker

1780, agent noun from husk (v.). Cornhuskers as a nickname for athletics squads from Nebraska is attested by 1903.

husk

late 14c., huske "dry, outer skin of certain fruits and seeds," of unknown origin, perhaps from Middle Dutch huuskyn "little house, core of fruit, case," diminutive of huus "house," or from an equivalent formation in English (see house). As a verb, attested from 1560s. Related: Husked; husking.