n.
Pronunciation: ' b ə k- ˌ hw ē t, - ˌ w ē t
Function: noun
Etymology: Dutch boekweit, from Middle Dutch boecweit, from boec- (akin to Old High German buohha beech tree) + weit wheat ― more at BEECH
Date: 1548
1 : any of a genus ( Fagopyrum of the family Polygonaceae, the buckwheat family) of Eurasian herbs with alternate leaves, clusters of apetalous pinkish-white flowers, and triangular seeds especially : either of two plants ( F. esculentum and F. tartaricum ) cultivated for their edible seeds
2 : the seed of a buckwheat used as a cereal grain