From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Turf \Turf\ (t[^u]rf), n.; pl. {Turfs} (t[^u]rfs), Obs. {Turves}
(t[^u]rvz). [AS. turf; akin to D. turf peat, G. torf, OHG.
zurba turf, Sw. & Icel. torf turf, peat, Dan. t["o]rv, Skr.
darbha a kind of grass, a tuft of grass. [root]242.]
1. That upper stratum of earth and vegetable mold which is
filled with the roots of grass and other small plants, so
as to adhere and form a kind of mat; sward; sod.
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At his head a grass-green turf. --Shak.
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The Greek historian sets her in the field on a high
heap of turves. --Milton.
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2. Peat, especially when prepared for fuel. See {Peat}.
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3. Race course; horse racing; -- preceded by the. "We . . .
claim the honors of the turf." --Cowper.
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Note: Turf is often used adjectively, or to form compounds
which are generally self-explaining; as, turf ashes,
turf cutter or turf-cutter, turf pit or turf-pit,
turf-built, turf-clad, turf-covered, etc.
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{Turf ant} (Zool.), a small European ant ({Formica flava})
which makes small ant-hills on heaths and commons.
{Turf drain}, a drain made with turf or peat.
{Turf hedge}, a hedge or fence formed with turf and plants of
different kinds.
{Turf house}, a house or shed formed of turf, common in the
northern parts of Europe.
{Turf moss} a tract of turfy, mossy, or boggy land.
{Turf spade}, a spade for cutting and digging turf, longer
and narrower than the common spade.
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