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mulch

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mulch

[muhlch]
–noun
1. a covering, as of straw, compost, or plastic sheeting, spread on the ground around plants to prevent excessive evaporation or erosion, enrich the soil, inhibit weed growth, etc.
–verb (used with object)
2. to cover with mulch.

Origin:
1650–60; n. use of obs. mulch (adj.), ME molsh soft, OE myl(i)sc mellow; c. dial. G molsch soft, overripe
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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mulch   (mŭlch)   
n.  A protective covering, usually of organic matter such as leaves, straw, or peat, placed around plants to prevent the evaporation of moisture, the freezing of roots, and the growth of weeds.
tr.v.   mulched, mulch·ing, mulch·es
To cover or surround with mulch.

[Probably from Middle English melsche, molsh, soft, from Old English melsc, mellow, mild; see mel-1 in Indo-European roots.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

mulch 
1657, from M.E. molsh (adj.) "soft, moist" (c.1420), from O.E. melsc, milisc "mellow, sweet" (cf. Du. mals "soft, ripe," O.H.G. molawen "to become soft," Ger. mollig "soft"), from PIE base *mel- "to rub, grind."
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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