As*par"a*gus (#), n. [L., fr. Gr. , ; cf. to swell with sap or juice, and Zend 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 Liliaceae, 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.

2.

The young and tender shoots of A. officinalis, which form a valuable and well-known article of food.

⇒ This word was formerly pronounced sparrowgrass; but this pronunciation is now confined exclusively to uneducated people.

Asparagus beetle Zool., a small beetle (Crioceris asparagi) injurious to asparagus.

 

© Webster 1913.