/bair"ber'ee, -beuh ree/ , n. , pl. bearberries .
1. any of several prostrate shrubs belonging to the genus Arctostaphylos, of the heath family, esp. A. uva-ursi, having tonic, astringent leaves and bright-red berries.
2. cascara.
3. possum haw (def. 1).
4. any of several other plants, as some species of cranberry.
[ 1615-25; BEAR 2 + BERRY ]