quack grass

noun

ˈkwak- 

: a European grass (Elytrigia repens synonym Agropyron repens) that is naturalized throughout North America and spreads by creeping rhizomes

called also couch grass, quitch, twitch, witchgrass

Examples of quack grass in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Many weeds, such as creeping Charlie (also called ground ivy), dandelions and quack grass, are perennial, meaning their root systems survive throughout the winter to send up those new shoots in spring. —Beth Botts, chicagotribune.com, 3 Apr. 2022

Early spring is the best time to tackle weeds that send out long, twining stems among other plants, such as creeping Charlie, bindweed and quack grass. —Beth Botts, chicagotribune.com, 3 Apr. 2022

There are many different types of weeds that can spoil a lush, green lawn: crabgrass, dandelions, white clover, quack grass, wood sorrel, bindweed, broad-leaf plantain, cinquefoil and creeping charley to name a few. —Joseph Truini, Popular Mechanics, 19 Apr. 2019

Buckwheat This fast-growing non-wheat crop is excellent at suppressing weeds like quack grass. —Sunset, 22 Jan. 2018

Word History

Etymology

alteration of quick (grass), alteration of quitch (grass)

First Known Use

circa 1818, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

quack grass

noun

: a European grass that is found throughout North America as a weed and that spreads by creeping underground stems

Medical Definition

quack grass

noun

: a European grass of the genus Agropyron (A. repens) that is naturalized throughout North America and has roots and rhizome with diuretic properties

called also couch grass, quitch, twitch, witchgrass