a lichen, Cetraria islandica, of arctic regions and N Europe, with brownish edible fronds
Iceland moss in American English
an arctic lichen (Cetraria islandica) sometimes used as a food and in folk medicine
Iceland moss in American English
noun
an edible lichen, Cetraria islandica, of arctic regions, containing a starchlike substance used in medicine
Word origin
[1795–1805]This word is first recorded in the period 1795–1805. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: crunch, mirage, oxidize, sharpshooter, steeplechase