osier

[ oh-zher ]

noun

1. any of various willows, as the red osier, having tough, flexible twigs or branches that are used for wickerwork.
2. a twig from such a willow.
3. any of various North American dogwoods.

osier

/ ˈəʊzɪə /

noun

1. any of various willow trees, esp Salix viminalis, whose flexible branches or twigs are used for making baskets, etc
2. a twig or branch from such a tree
3. any of several North American dogwoods, esp the red osier

Other Words From

• osiered adjective
• osier·like adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of osier¹

1300–50; Middle English < Middle French; akin to Medieval Latin ausāria willow bed

Word History and Origins

Origin of osier¹

C14: from Old French, probably from Medieval Latin ausēria, perhaps of Gaulish origin; compare Breton aoz

Example Sentences

Many look for nectar on dandelion, rabbitbrush, Canada thistle, osier dogwood and chokecherry.

From Seattle Times

Flames seized the osier cages; billows of foul smoke rose skyward.

From Literature

Particularly when it came to the business of weaving baskets from willow shoots known as osiers.

From BBC

Today salmonberry and snowberry, cedars, Sitka spruce and red osier dogwood, even skunk cabbage create a densely vegetated red cedar swamp worthy of Sasquatch.

From Seattle Times

They’ve planted western red cedar and willows and watched as other native plants took root in the shade — red osier dogwood, salmonberry, ferns and vine maple.

From Seattle Times