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
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.]
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."