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 seeds
2 : the seed of a buckwheat used as a cereal grain