burdock
UK[ˈbɜːdɒk]US[ˈbɜːrdɑːk]
n
a plant of the daisy family, with large leaves and prickly purple flowers surrounded by hooked bracts which form burrs.
Etymology
the word 'burdock' is a middle english compound, formed from 'burre' (meaning a prickly seed case or head) and 'dock', a name for various broad-leaved plants. the 'burr' element is of scandinavian origin, related to old norse 'burr' meaning 'bur, bristle'. the 'dock' element comes from old english 'docce', referring to a coarse weedy plant. the name thus literally means a 'dock plant that produces burrs', a perfectly descriptive term for this plant known for its clinging seed heads. this transparent naming convention reflects the practical, observational nature of much early english plant terminology.
Analysis
this is a compound word from middle english, but its modern spelling is considered a single, unsegmentable lexical unit for the purpose of morpheme analysis based on the current form.
Examples
the children came back from the walk with their socks covered in burdock burrs.
burdock root is sometimes used in herbal medicine and cooking.
the farmer worked to clear the burdock from the edge of the pasture.