barberry

n. [ OE. barbarin, barbere, OF. berbere. ] (Bot.) A shrub of the genus Berberis, common along roadsides and in neglected fields. Berberis vulgaris is the species best known; its oblong red berries are made into a preserve or sauce, and have been deemed efficacious in fluxes and fevers. The bark dyes a fine yellow, esp. the bark of the root. [ Also spelt berberry. ] [ 1913 Webster ]