nounEtymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin auseria osier bed Date: 14th century 1. any of various willows (especially Salix viminalis) whose pliable twigs are used for furniture and basketry 2. a willow rod used in basketry 3. any of several American dogwoods; especiallyred osier
n. 1 any of various willows, esp. Salix viminalis, with long flexible shoots used in basketwork. 2 a shoot of a willow. Phrases and idioms: osier-bed a place where osiers are grown. Etymology: ME f. OF: cf. med.L auseria osier-bed
Osier O"sier, n. [F. osier: cf. Prov. F. oisis, Armor. ozil, aozil, Gr. ?, ?, ?, L. vitex, and E. withy.] (Bot.) (a) A kind of willow (Salix viminalis) growing in wet places in Europe and Asia, and introduced into North America. It is considered the best of the willows for basket work. The name is sometimes given to any kind of willow. (b) One of the long, pliable twigs of this plant, or of other similar plants. The rank of osiers by the murmuring stream. --Shak. Osier bed, or Osier holt, a place where willows are grown for basket making. [Eng.] Red osier. (a) A kind of willow with reddish twigs (Salix rubra). (b) An American shrub (Cornus stolonifera) which has slender red branches; -- also called osier cornel.