locoweed

American  

[loh-koh-weed] / ˈloʊ koʊˌwid /

noun

1. any of various leguminous plants of the genera Astragalus and Oxytropis, of the southwestern U.S. and Mexico, causing locoism in sheep, horses, etc.

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locoweed British  

/ ˈləʊkəʊˌwiːd /

noun

1. any of several perennial leguminous plants of the genera Oxytropis and Astragalus of W North America that cause loco disease in horses, cattle, and sheep

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Etymology

Origin of locoweed

An Americanism dating back to 1875–80; loco + weed ¹

Example Sentences

This amusing western has a racial equality angle, an avalanche, a locoweed stampede, Shelley Winters chomping cigars, and Agnes�an educated horse that sits on its rear end for a strategy conference with Burt Lancaster.

From Time Magazine Archive

Then in 1983 the city of Rancho Palos Verdes opened a new playing field in a park where locoweed had provided a habitat for the extraordinary insect.

From Time Magazine Archive

It just can't be too strong for him, because he has the worst kind of trouble a hombre west of the Pecos can have�short of having his horse eat locoweed.

From Time Magazine Archive

He made an altar with cactus spines and purple locoweed flowers.

From "Ceremony:" by Leslie Marmon Silko

Why, son," he continued, "every longhorn who's ever cinched a Colorado saddle, or roped a steer, is plumb aware of locoweed.

From Wolfville Days by Lewis, Alfred Henry