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nannyberry

 - 4 dictionary results

nan⋅ny⋅ber⋅ry

[nan-ee-ber-ee]
–noun, plural -ries.
sheepberry.
Also called nanny plum.


Origin:
1780–90; nanny ( goat ) + berry

sheep⋅ber⋅ry

[sheep-ber-ee, -buh-ree]
–noun, plural -ries.
1. a North American shrub or small tree, Viburnum lentago, of the honeysuckle family, having flat-topped clusters of small white flowers and edible, berrylike black drupes.
2. the fruit itself.
Also called black haw, nannyberry.


Origin:
1805–15, Americanism; sheep + berry
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To nannyberry
nan·ny·ber·ry   (nān'ē-běr'ē)   
n.  See sheepberry.

[From nanny goats' taste for them.]
sheep·ber·ry   (shēp'běr'ē)   
n.  Either of two eastern North American shrubs or trees (Viburnum lentago or V. prunifolium) having clusters of white flowers and edible blue-black berries. Also called nannyberry.

[From the resemblance of the berries to sheep droppings.]
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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