trompillo

noun

trom·​pi·​llo
trämˈpē(ˌ)(y)ō
plural -s
: a weedy nightshade (Solanum elaeagnifolium) ranging from the central U.S. to South America with silvery foliage, violet, blue, or white flowers, and a roundish berry widely used by the natives to curdle milk

called also prairie berry, purple nightshade, silverleaf nightshade

Word History

Etymology

Spanish, probably diminutive of trompa horn, trumpet, nozzle, probably of Germanic origin like Italian tromba trumpet

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Cite this Entry

“Trompillo.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trompillo. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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