any grass of the genus Alopecurus, esp A. pratensis, of Europe, Asia, and South America, having soft cylindrical spikes of flowers: cultivated as a pasture grass
2.
any of various similar and related grasses, esp any of the genus Setaria
foxtail in American English
(ˈfɑksˌteɪl)
noun
1.
the bushy tail of a fox
2.
any of various grasses (esp. genus Setaria) having cylindrical spikes bearing spikelets interspersed with stiff bristles