ETYM Latin, from Greek; cf. Zend sparegha prong, sprout, Pers. asparag, Lith. spurgas sprout, Skr. sphurj to swell. Perh. the Greek borrowed from the Persian. Related to Sparrowgrass.
Any plant of the genus Asparagus, family Liliaceae, with small scalelike leaves and many needlelike branches. Native to Eurasia, a. officinalis is cultivated, and the young shoots are eaten as a vegetable.
1. Edible young shoots of the asparagus plant.
2. Plant whose succulent young shoots are cooked and eaten as a vegetable; SYN. edible asparagus, Asparagus officinales.
Any of a genus (Asparagus) of Old World perennial plants of the lily family having much-branched stems, minute scalelike leaves, and narrow usually filiform branchlets that function as leaves; especially; one (a. officinalis) widely cultivated for its edible young shoots.