/wood"reuhf, -ruf'/ , n.
any of several plants belonging to the genus Asperula or Galium, of the madder family, as G. odoratum (sweet woodruff) , a fragrant plant with small white flowers.
[ bef. 1000; ME woderove, OE wudurofe, wudurife, equiv. to wudu WOOD 1 + -rofe, -rife, element of uncert. meaning; cf. G Rübe carrot ]