tussock

[ tuhs-uhk ]

noun

1. a tuft or clump of growing grass or the like.

tussock

/ ˈtʌsək /

noun

1. a dense tuft of vegetation, esp of grass
2. 1. short for tussock grass
   2. country where tussock grass grows

Derived Forms

• ˈtussocky, adjective

Other Words From

• tussocked adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of tussock¹

1540–50; apparently akin to Middle High German zūsach thicket, derivative of zūse lock (of hair), brushwood. See -ock

Word History and Origins

Origin of tussock¹

C16: perhaps related to tusk

Example Sentences

After another jolting ride along an undulating, sandy path, we set out up the west slope at 11:15 p.m., trudging through the tussocks and powdery dark ash.

From New York Times

“It could be big tussocks just like a couple of years ago, and it could be a brutal run, you know, with the rolling hills and possibly barren tundra.”

From Seattle Times

They sailed ahead and by three o’clock could make out the faint patches of green tussock grass that grew among the snowy rocks.

From Literature

It revealed that prime night parrot habitat in Queensland consisted of areas of tussock grass called triodia that had been long untouched by fire, and close to water sources and seed-rich floodplains.

From New York Times

The man was navigating off-piste when he slipped in tussocks of grass.

From BBC