jack bean

noun

: a bushy annual tropical American legume (Canavalia ensiformis) grown especially for forage

Word History

First Known Use

1885, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

jack bean

noun

ˈjak-ˌbēn 

1

: an annual tropical American plant of the genus Canavalia

especially : a plant (C. ensiformis) having long pods with white seeds and grown especially for forage

2

: the seed of the jack bean that is a source of canavalin and urease