witchweed

noun

witch·​weed ˈwich-ˌwēd How to pronounce witchweed (audio)
: any of a genus (Striga) of yellow-flowered Old World plants of the snapdragon family that are damaging root parasites of grasses (such as sorghum and corn) and that include one (S. asiatica) which is an introduced pest in parts of the southeastern U.S.

Word History

First Known Use

1881, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of witchweed was in 1881

Dictionary Entries Near witchweed

Cite this Entry

“Witchweed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/witchweed. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on witchweed

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!