/jak"straw'/ , n.
1. one of a group of strips of wood or similar objects, as straws or toothpicks, used in the game of jackstraws.
2. jackstraws , ( used with a sing. v. ) a game in which players compete in picking up, one by one, as many jackstraws as possible without disturbing the heap.
3. Obs.
a. a straw-stuffed figure of a man; scarecrow; straw man.
b. an insignificant person.
[ 1590-1600; after Jack Straw, name or nickname of one of the leaders of the rebellion headed by Wat Tyler in 1381 in England ]