noun1. any tropical or subtropical plant of the zygophyllaceous genera Tribulus and Kallstroemia that have spiny burs or bracts
2. water caltrop
3. another name for the star thistle
4. military a four-spiked iron ball or four joined spikes laid upon the ground as a device to lame cavalry horses, puncture tyres, etc
Word origin
Old English
calcatrippe (the plant), from Medieval Latin
calcatrippa, probably from Latin
calx heel +
trippa trap1