n.
Pronunciation: ' p ə r-sl ə n, - ˌ sl ā n
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French porsulaigne, from Late Latin porcillagin-, porcillago, alteration of Latin porcillaca, alteration of portulaca
Date: 14th century
: any of a family (Portulacaceae, the purslane family) of cosmopolitan usually succulent herbs especially : a fleshy-leaved trailing plant ( Portulaca oleracea ) with tiny yellow flowers that is a common troublesome weed but is sometimes eaten as a potherb or in salads