spurge

• POS: Noun

CIDE DICTIONARY

spurge, v. t. [Etymol. uncertain.].

 To emit foam; to froth; -- said of the emission of yeast from beer in course of fermentation.  W. Cartright.  [1913 Webster]

spurge, n. [OF. espurge, F. épurge, from OF. espurgier to purge, L. expurgare. See Expurgate, Purge.].

 Any plant of the genus Euphorbia. See Euphorbia.  [1913 Webster]

Spurge flax, an evergreen shrub (Daphne Gnidium) with crowded narrow leaves. It is a native of Southern Europe. -- Spurge laurel, a European shrub (Daphne Laureola) with oblong evergreen leaves. -- Spurge nettle. See under Nettle. -- Spurge olive, an evergreen shrub (Daphne oleoides) found in the Mediterranean region.

OXFORD DICTIONARY

spurge, n. any plant of the genus Euphorbia, exuding an acrid milky juice once used medicinally as a purgative.

Idiom

spurge laurel any shrub of the genus Daphne, esp. D. laureola, with small yellow flowers.

Etymology

ME f. OF espurge f. espurgier f. L expurgare (as EX-(1), PURGE)