ran·stead \ˈranˌsted\noun orram·stead\-amˌ-\ (-s) Etymology: probably after Ranstead, 18th century American born in Wales : an erect perennial Old World toadflax (Linaria vulgaris) that bears racemes of pale yellow to citron yellow flowers with coppery markings and is naturalized in No. America where it is sometimes a troublesome weed