gallberry

[ gawl-ber-ee, -buh-ree ]

noun

, plural gall·ber·ries.

1. either of two North American shrubs, Ilex glabra, the inkberry, or I. coriacea, having glossy leaves and white flowers.
2. the fruit of either of these shrubs.

Word History and Origins

Origin of gallberry¹

An Americanism dating back to 1700–10; gall ³ + berry

Example Sentences

Instead, I got Granny’s gallberry brush-broom off the back porch and swept the dirt clean around the steps.

From Literature

Although Florida also produces honey from orange blossoms, gallberries and wildflowers, the honey from white tupelo gum trees ranks highest in price and flavor.

From Seattle Times

And they’re quick to rattle off the health benefits of each variety: Palmetto blend helps prevent prostate cancer, gallberry kills off bacteria, orange blossom reduces risk of chronic illness and wildflower wards off allergies.

From Washington Times

As they jolt over corduroy roads between pools of stagnant waters, the travelers look out wearily upon a sparse growth of gallberry and scrub-pine.

From Project Gutenberg

Moreover, fields adjoining land on which cranberries, raspberries, blackberries, or gallberries are growing wild, may always be suspected of more or less sourness.

From Project Gutenberg