ˈfloat-grass
Also 5 flotgrese, 6 floter-, 7–8 flot, 6–9 flote-grass.
[f. float n. or v.; cf. Du. vlotgras.]
A name given to various species of grass sedge growing in marshy ground, swampy meadows, etc.; e.g. Glyceria fluitans and Alopecurus geniculatus.
| c 1440 Promp. Parv. 168/1 Flot grese, ulva. 1597 Gerarde Herbal i. xi. §2. 13 The second [spiked Flote grasse] is called Gramen fluuiatile spicatum: likewise Flote grasse and Floter grasse, bicause they swim and flote in the water. 1640 Parkinson Theat. Bot. xiv. xl. 1276 10 Gramen Fluviatile cornutum, Horned Flote grasse. 1725 Bradley Fam. Dict. s.v. Springs, The Furrows and Water Tracts, where they usually stalk and paddle for..Flotgrass, Roots, and the like Things, on which they feed. 1863 Prior Plant-n. 82 Float—or more properly Flote-Grass..Poa fluitans. |