Brussels sprout

or brus·sels sprout

[ bruhs-uhlz sprout ]

noun

1. Botany. a cruciferous plant, Brassica oleracea gemmifera, having small, cabbagelike heads or buds along the stalk that are eaten as a vegetable:

   The Brussels sprout is a cool-season crop.

   Brussels sprouts were introduced to California agriculture around 1920.

2. Usually Brus·sels sprouts. any of the heads or buds, eaten as a vegetable:

   When preparing a medley of roasted vegetables, don’t forget the Brussels sprouts.

Brussels sprout

noun

1. a variety of cabbage, Brassica oleracea gemmifera , having a stout stem studded with budlike heads of tightly folded leaves, resembling tiny cabbages
2. the head of this plant, eaten as a vegetable

Word History and Origins

Origin of Brussels sprout¹

First recorded in 1790–1800