hound's tongue

• houndstongue, hound's-tongue

From Middle English houndestonge, from Old English hundes tunge (“hound's tongue (cynoglossum officinale)”, literally “hound's tongue”). Compare Dutch hondstong (“hound's tongue”), German Hundszunge (“plant of the genus Cynoglossum”, literally “hound's tongue”).

hound's tongue (plural hound's tongues)

1. A biennial weed (Cynoglossum officinale) with soft tongue-shaped leaves and an offensive odour. It bears nutlets covered with barbed or hooked prickles.

   Synonym: dog's tongue

• rib (plant)