osier

American  

[oh-zher] / ˈoʊ ʒər /

noun

1. any of various willows, as the red osier, having tough, flexible twigs or branches that are used for wickerwork.

2. a twig from such a willow.

3. any of various North American dogwoods.

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osier British  

/ ˈəʊzɪə /

noun

1. any of various willow trees, esp Salix viminalis, whose flexible branches or twigs are used for making baskets, etc

2. a twig or branch from such a tree

3. any of several North American dogwoods, esp the red osier

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Other Word Forms

• osiered adjective
• osierlike adjective

Etymology

Origin of osier

1300–50; Middle English < Middle French; akin to Medieval Latin ausāria willow bed

Example Sentences

Many look for nectar on dandelion, rabbitbrush, Canada thistle, osier dogwood and chokecherry.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 27, 2021

It had been woven of osier by the Incas more than a century ago.

From Time Magazine Archive

Flames seized the osier cages; billows of foul smoke rose skyward.

From "The Book of Three" by Lloyd Alexander

The cables of this bridge were made of the twisted fibre of maguey, a kind of osier, and were at least three feet in diameter.

From Treasure of Kings Being the Story of the Discovery of the \"Big Fish,\" or the Quest of the Greater Treasure of the Incas of Peru. by Gilson, Charles

I doubt, or even disbelieve, the Britons having had any name for a ship, though they had a name for an osier floating basket, covered with raw hides.

From Notes and Queries, Number 85, June 14, 1851 A Medium of Inter-communication for Literary Men, Artists, Antiquaries, Geneologists, etc. by Various