locoweed

American  

[loh-koh-weed] / ˈloʊ koʊˌwid /

noun

1. any of various leguminous plants of the genera Astragalus and Oxytropis, of the southwestern U.S. and Mexico, causing locoism in sheep, horses, etc.

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locoweed British  

/ ˈləʊkəʊˌwiːd /

noun

1. any of several perennial leguminous plants of the genera Oxytropis and Astragalus of W North America that cause loco disease in horses, cattle, and sheep

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Etymology

Origin of locoweed

An Americanism dating back to 1875–80; loco + weed ¹

Example Sentences

This amusing western has a racial equality angle, an avalanche, a locoweed stampede, Shelley Winters chomping cigars, and Agnes�an educated horse that sits on its rear end for a strategy conference with Burt Lancaster.

From Time Magazine Archive

It just can't be too strong for him, because he has the worst kind of trouble a hombre west of the Pecos can have�short of having his horse eat locoweed.

From Time Magazine Archive

Then in 1983 the city of Rancho Palos Verdes opened a new playing field in a park where locoweed had provided a habitat for the extraordinary insect.

From Time Magazine Archive

He made an altar with cactus spines and purple locoweed flowers.

From "Ceremony:" by Leslie Marmon Silko

Doc Peets informs me once when we crosses up with some locoweed over by the Cow Springs, that thar's two or three breeds of this malignant vegetable.

From Wolfville Days by Lewis, Alfred Henry