/kelp/ , n.
1. any large, brown, cold-water seaweed of the family Laminariaceae, used as food and in various manufacturing processes. See illus. under stipe .
2. a bed or mass of such seaweeds.
3. the ash of these seaweeds.
v.i.
4. to burn these seaweeds for their ash.
[ 1350-1400; appar. dial. var. of ME culp ]