sainfoin Meaning, Definition & Usage

noun Eurasian perennial herb having pale pink flowers and curved pods; naturalized in Britain and North America grasslands on calcareous soils; important forage crop and source of honey in Britain
holy clover; esparcet; Onobrychis viciaefolia; sanfoin; Onobrychis viciifolia.

F., fr. sain wholesome (L. sanus; see Sane.) + foin hay (L. fænum); or perh. fr. saint sacred (L. sanctus; see Saint) + foin hay.

(Bot.) (a) A leguminous plant (Onobrychis sativa) cultivated for fodder. Written also saintfoin. (b) A kind of tick trefoil (Desmodium Canadense). Canada