parsnip

American  

[pahr-snip] / ˈpɑr snɪp /

noun

1. a plant, Pastinaca sativa, cultivated varieties of which have a large, whitish, edible root.

2. the root of this plant.

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parsnip British  

/ ˈpɑːsnɪp /

noun

1. a strong-scented umbelliferous plant, Pastinaca sativa, cultivated for its long whitish root

2. the root of this plant, eaten as a vegetable

3. any of several similar plants, esp the cow parsnip

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Etymology

Origin of parsnip

1350–1400; earlier pars ( e ) nep, pass ( e ) nep, Middle English pas ( t ) nep ( e ) < Latin past ( ināca ) parsnip (derivative of pastinum forked dibble) + Middle English nep turnip; neep

Example Sentences

Fire is bad for all animals, but the first plants that come back, benefiting from openings in the tree canopy, are really good food for bears: huckleberry, cow parsnip and horsetail, to name a few.

From Seattle Times • May 6, 2024

There were oysters, salmon with Hollandaise sauce, beef, squab, duck, roast chicken, green peas, parsnip purée and Victoria pudding.

From New York Times • Nov. 9, 2023

Paul Proud's cabbage, parsnip, carrot, beetroot and cucumber emerged triumphant in their respective categories.

From BBC • Sep. 17, 2023

Instead of keeping my own parsnip, which I always do, I'm pushing in the odd other variety.

From Salon • Sep. 11, 2022

From the sleeve of her gown Alyce pulled the parsnip tops meant for the cows and some cheese she had saved for the cat and fed instead the hungry boy.

From "The Midwife's Apprentice" by Karen Cushman