Main Entry:

buck·wheat

Pronunciation:

\ˈbək-ˌhwēt, -ˌwēt\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Dutch boekweit, from Middle Dutch boecweit, from boec- (akin to Old High German buohha beech tree) + weit wheat — more at beech

Date:

1548

1: any of a genus (Fagopyrum of the family Polygonaceae, the buckwheat family) of Eurasian herbs with alternate leaves, clusters of apetalous pinkish-white flowers, and triangular seeds ; especially : either of two plants (F. esculentum and F. tartaricum) cultivated for their edible seeds2: the seed of a buckwheat used as a cereal grain