bird's-foot trefoil

noun

: a yellow-flowered European herb (Lotus corniculatus) of the legume family that has claw-shaped pods and is widely grown for forage and for erosion control

Word History

First Known Use

1650, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bird's-foot trefoil was in 1650

Dictionary Entries Near bird's-foot trefoil

Cite this Entry

“Bird's-foot trefoil.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bird%27s-foot%20trefoil. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

bird's-foot trefoil

noun
ˌbərdz-ˌfu̇t-
: a European plant with claw-shaped pods that is related to the pea and is widely grown as food for livestock and to control erosion

More from Merriam-Webster on bird's-foot trefoil

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!