any of several grasses of the genus Lolium, esp L. temulentum, that grow as weeds in grain fields in Europe and Asia
Word origin
C14: probably related to French (Walloon dialect) darnelle, of obscure origin
darnel in American English
(ˈdɑrnəl)
noun
a weedy rye grass (Lolium temulentum) with poisonous seeds, often found in grainfields
Word origin
ME < Fr dial. (Wal) darnelle, prob. < OFr dial. darnu, stupefied (< Frank *darn) + niella < VL nigella, black caraway < L niger, black: so called from its supposed stupefying qualities