bracken

From Middle English braken, probably of Scandinavian/North Germanic origin, from Old Norse *brakni (“undergrowth”), related to Proto-Germanic *brekaną and ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *bʰreg- (“to break”).[1] Cognates include Danish bregne and Swedish bräken (“fern”).

• IPA^(key): /ˈbɹækən/

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• Rhymes: -ækən

bracken (usually uncountable, plural brackens)

1. (uncountable, countable) Any of several coarse ferns, of the genus Pteridium, that form dense thickets; often poisonous to livestock.
2. (uncountable) An area of countryside heavily populated by this fern.