any of various leguminous plants of the genus Astragalus, esp A. glycyphyllos, with clusters of purple, white, or yellowish flowers: formerly reputed to increase milk production in goats
milk vetch in American English
any of a genus (Astragalus) of plants of the pea family, with deeply cut leaves, flowers in spikes or racemes, and, usually, inflated pods
Word origin
from the notion that it increases the secretion of milk in goats