Catkin

• POS: Noun
• HYPHEN: cat=kin

CIDE DICTIONARY

Catkin, n. [Cat + -kin.].

 An ament; a species of inflorescence, consisting of a slender axis with many unisexual apetalous flowers along its sides, as in the willow and poplar, and (as to the staminate flowers) in the chestnut, oak, hickory, etc. -- so called from its resemblance to a cat's tail. See Illust. of Ament.  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

Catkin, n. a spike of usu. downy or silky male or female flowers hanging from a willow, hazel, etc.

Etymology

obs. Du. katteken kitten