PURSLANE

[purs.lane] n [ME, fr. MF porcelaine, fr. LL porcillagin-, porcillago, alter. of L porcillaca, alter. of portulaca] (14c): any of a family (Portulacaceae, the purslane family) of cosmopolitan usu. succulent herbs; esp: 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