burdock

noun

bur·​dock ˈbər-ˌdäk 

: any of a genus (Arctium) of coarse composite herbs bearing globular flower heads with prickly bracts

Examples of burdock in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Vegetarian options: Japchae made from sweet potato noodles, vegan kimbap with burdock root and pickled radish, egg salad sandwiches and more. —Benjy Egel, Sacramento Bee, 1 July 2024

This formula is enriched with biotin, bamboo, burdock, and hops and is designed to cleanse, nourish, and strengthen hair all while toning out natural gray and white strands. —Jessie Quinn, Peoplemag, 18 Jan. 2024

Some examples of alteratives include nettle, dandelion leaf and root, burdock root, violet, calendula, and red clover. —Sarah Yang, Sunset Magazine, 19 Mar. 2024

Recipe: Burdock Root Bitters Makes 3 cups (720 ml) Digestive bitters are alcohol tinctures infused with herbs, such as burdock root, citrus peel, ginger, and fennel seeds. —Lisa Wong MacAbasco, Vogue, 18 Dec. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

burdock

noun

bur·​dock ˈbər-ˌdäk 

: any of a genus of coarse herbs that are related to the daisies and have globe-shaped flower heads surrounded by prickly bracts

Medical Definition

burdock

noun

bur·​dock ˈbər-ˌdäk 

1

: any of a genus (Arctium) of coarse composite herbs bearing globular flower heads with prickly bracts and including one (A. lappa) that has an edible root used as a vegetable and in herbal medicine

2

or burdock root : the edible root of the burdock (Arctium lappa)

Herbalists use dried burdock as a diuretic and a blood-purifying agent.

—Kathryn Shattuck, The New York Times

called also lappa