Main Entry:

vetch

Pronunciation:

\ˈvech\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Middle English fecche, veche, from Middle French dialect (Norman & Picard) veche, from Latin vicia; perhaps akin to Latin vincire to bind

Date:

14th century

: any of a genus (Vicia) of herbaceous twining leguminous plants including some grown for fodder and green manure — compare crown vetch, hairy vetch, milk vetch

[vetch illustration]