alfalfa

(al fal)

noun

a deep-rooted perennial plant (Medicago sativa) of the pea family, with small divided leaves, purple cloverlike flowers, and spiral pods, used extensively for fodder and pasture and as a cover crop

Origin: Sp < Ar al-fiṣfiṣa, fodder in its freshest state

See alfalfa in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun
A southwest Asian perennial herb (Medicago sativa) having compound leaves with three leaflets and clusters of usually blue-violet flowers. It is widely cultivated as a pasture and hay crop.

Origin:

Origin: Spanish

Origin: , from Arabic al-faṣfaṣa

Origin: : al-, the

Origin: + faṣfaṣa, alfalfa (variant of fiṣfiṣa, from Persian aspist, clover)

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