Found 1 items, similar to sparrowgrass.
English → English (gcide) Definition: sparrowgrass Asparagus \As*par"a*gus\ ([a^]s*p[a^]r"[.a]*g[u^]s), n. [L., fr. Gr. 'aspa`ragos, 'asfa`ragos; cf. sparga^n to swell with sap or juice, and Zend [,c]paregha prong, sprout, Pers. asparag, Lith. spurgas sprout, Skr. sphurj to swell. Perh. the Greek borrowed from the Persian. Cf. Sparrowgrass.] 1. (Bot.) A genus of perennial plants belonging to the natural order Liliace[ae], and having erect much branched stems, and very slender branchlets which are sometimes mistaken for leaves. Asparagus racemosus is a shrubby climbing plant with fragrant flowers. Specifically: The Asparagus officinalis, a species cultivated in gardens. [1913 Webster] 2. The young and tender shoots of Asparagus officinalis, which form a valuable and well-known article of food. [1913 Webster] Note: This word was formerly pronounced sparrowgrass; but this pronunciation is now confined exclusively to uneducated people. [1913 Webster] Asparagus beetle (Zo["o]l.), a small beetle (Crioceris asparagi ) injurious to asparagus. [1913 Webster]