ETYM Old Eng. darnel, dernel, of uncertain origin; cf. dial. French darnelle, Swed. dar-repe; perh. named from a supposed intoxicating quality of the plant, and akin to Swed. dara to infatuate, OD. door foolish, German thor fool, and Ee. dizzy.
Weedy annual grass often occurs in grainfields and other cultivated land; seeds sometimes considered poisonous; SYN. tare, bearded darnel, cheat, Lolium temulentum.
Tall, awned grass, a weed of corn-fields.