bracken

== English == === Etymology === From Middle English braken, probably of Scandinavian/North Germanic origin, from Old Norse *brakni (“undergrowth”), related to Proto-Germanic *brekaną and ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *bʰreg- (“to break”). Cognates include Danish bregne and Swedish bräken (“fern”). === Pronunciation === IPA(key): /ˈbɹækən/ Rhymes: -ækən === Noun === bracken (usually uncountable, plural brackens) (uncountable, countable) Any of several coarse ferns, of the genus Pteridium, that form dense thickets; often poisonous to livestock. (uncountable) An area of countryside heavily populated by this fern. ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Translations ==== === References ===