panicl

n. [ L. panicula a tuft on plants, dim. of panus the thread wound upon the bobbin in a shuttle; cf. Gr. &unr_;, &unr_;; prob. akin to E. pane: cf. F. panicule. See 2d Pane. ] (Bot.) A pyramidal form of inflorescence, in which the cluster is loosely branched below and gradually simpler toward the end. [ 1913 Webster ]