ETYM Old Eng. awn, agune, from Icel. ögn, pl. agnir; akin to Swed. agn, Dan. avne, Goth. ahana, Old High Germ. agana, German agen, ahne, chaff, Greek achne, AS. egla; prob. from same root as Eng. acute. Related to Ear.
Slender bristlelike appendage found on the bracts of grasses.
Beard or similar bristly growth on stalk of grain.
“beard” of grass, barley, etc.; spiky outgrowth.

To strip of awns.