bur

/bɝ/

UK: /bɜː/

bur

English Noun Top 49,738

Definition

A rough, prickly husk around the seeds or fruit of some plants.

Etymology

From Middle English burre, of unknown origin but probably from North Germanic (Scandinavian) source or from Old English byrst (“bristle”). See also burr. Compare English bristle, Danish burre (“bur, burdock”), Norwegian borre, Swedish borre, and Old Norse burst (“bristle”).