TURF

I. noun (plural ~s; also turves) Etymology: Middle English, from Old English; akin to Old High German zurba ~, Sanskrit darbha tuft of grass Date: before 12th century 1. the upper stratum of soil bound by grass and plant roots into a thick mat, an artificial substitute for this (as on a playing field), grass 3, 2. peat 2, a piece of peat dried for fuel, 3. a track or course for horse racing, the sport or business of horse racing, 4. territory considered by a teenage gang to be under its control, territory 2 , ~y adjective II. transitive verb Date: 15th century to cover with ~, to eject forcibly ; kick