windlestraw

noun

win·​dle·​straw ˈwin-dᵊl-ˌstrȯ  ˈwi-nᵊl- 

British

: a dry thin stalk of grass

Word History

Etymology

Middle English *windelstraw, from Old English windelstrēaw, from windel- (akin to Middle English windel caulking material) + strēaw straw

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above