shepherd's-purse

[shep-erdz-purs]

noun

1. a European weed, Capsella bursa-pastoris, having white flowers and purselike pods, naturalized in North America.

shepherd's-purse

noun

1. a plant, Capsella bursa-pastoris, having small white flowers and flattened triangular seed pods: family Brassicaceae (crucifers)

Word History and Origins

Origin of shepherd's-purse¹

late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50

Word History and Origins

Origin of shepherd's-purse¹

C15: compare Latin bursa pastoris, French bourse-de-berger, German Hirtentasche, Dutch herdentasch