/grayp"vuyn'/ , n.
1. a vine that bears grapes.
2. Also called grapevine telegraph . a person-to-person method of spreading rumors, gossip, information, etc., by informal or unofficial conversation, letter writing, or the like.
3. a private or secret source of information.
[ 1645-55; 1860-65, Amer. for def. 2; GRAPE + VINE ]