Main Entry: purs·lane

Pronunciation: \ˈpər-slən, -ˌslān\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French porsulaigne, from Late Latin porcillagin-, porcillago, alteration of Latin porcillaca, alteration of portulaca

Date: 14th century

: any of a family (Portulacaceae, the purslane family) of cosmopolitan usually succulent herbs; especially : a fleshy-leaved trailing plant (Portulaca oleracea) with tiny yellow flowers that is a common troublesome weed but is sometimes eaten as a potherb or in salads