haulm

or halm

[ hawm ]

noun

1. stems or stalks collectively, as of grain or of peas, beans, or hops, especially as used for litter or thatching.
2. a single stem or stalk.

haulm

/ hɔːm /

noun

1. the stems or stalks of beans, peas, potatoes, grasses, etc, collectively, as used for thatching, bedding, etc
2. a single stem of such a plant

Word History and Origins

Origin of haulm¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English halm, Old English healm; cognate with Dutch, German halm, Old Norse halmr; akin to Latin culmus “stalk,” Greek kálamos “reed”

Word History and Origins

Origin of haulm¹

Old English healm; related to Old Norse halmr, Old High German halm stem, straw, Latin culmus stalk, Greek kalamos reed, Old Slavonic slama straw

Example Sentences

Potato haulms, and club-rooted cabbage crops should, however, never be mixed with ordinary clean vegetable refuse, as they would be most likely to perpetuate the terrible diseases to which they are subject.

From Project Gutenberg

The seeds having been sown too thickly, the bases of the haulms, owing to the etiolation and consequent lack of carbohydrates, suffer from want of stiffening tissues, and the top-heavy plants fall over.

From Project Gutenberg

He whispered to Jonet, as she followed to pick up the roots he dug out, and remove the haulms, which really called for another hand.

From Project Gutenberg

The grass on which it was standing was still rather dark, and only the highest haulms displayed heavy drops of dew, while the breaking dawn was reflected in the brute's smooth yellow-black spotted body.

From Project Gutenberg

It is compounded of hem, i.e. haulm, a stalk, and lock, or leac, a plant, thus signifying merely a plant with a stem. 

From Project Gutenberg