motte

or mott

[mot]

noun Chiefly Southwestern U.S.

a grove or clump of trees in prairie land or open country.

Origin of motte

1830–40, Americanism; < Mexican Spanish mata; Spanish: grove, plantation, perhaps < Late Latin matta mat¹

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for motte

Historical Examples of motte

"Wait till I tell you another thing, Admiral," Motte interposed.
The False Chevalier
William Douw Lighthall
During the forenoon we passed over a "motte" of prairie or park.
Seven and Nine years Among the Camanches and Apaches
Edwin Eastman
The hunters, at the suggestion, galloped off to surround the motte.
The Scalp Hunters
Mayne Reid
A motte of timber had served him as a mark: the steed had passed close to its edge.
The War Trail
Mayne Reid
As we entered the prairie, Captain; but my route will lie past this motte to the left.
The Rifle Rangers
Captain Mayne Reid

British Dictionary definitions for motte

motte

noun

history a natural or man-made mound on which a castle was erected

Word Origin for motte

C14: see moat

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