parsnip

/ˈpɑɹ.snɪp/

UK: /ˈpɑː.snɪp/

PⱭɹ · snɪp (2 syllables)

English Noun Top 47,510

Definition

A biennial plant, Pastinaca sativa, related to the carrot.

Etymology

From 16th-century parsnepe, from Middle English passenep, a modification of Old French pasnaie by influence of Middle English nepe (“turnip”), from Latin pastināca (“parsnip, carrot”), from pastinum (“two-pronged fork”) as in pastināre (“to dig up the ground”).