vetch

views updated May 21 2018

vetch / vech/ • n. a widely distributed scrambling herbaceous plant (genus Vicia) of the pea family that is cultivated as a silage or fodder crop.

vetch

views updated May 17 2018

vetch (fruit of a) plant of the genus Vicia. XIV. ME. fecche, ficche and vecche — AN., ONF. veche = OF. vece (mod. vesce):- L. vicia.
Hence vetchling plant of the genus Lathyrus. XVI; see -LING1.

vetch

views updated May 09 2018

vetch Old term applied generally to legumes; originally Vicia spp., also called tares.

vetch

views updated May 14 2018

vetch See VICIA.