Crēss, n.

n. [A-S. cresse, cerse, cārse, D. kers, kors, Ger. kresse, O. H. Ger. cressa, cresso, chresso, O. L. Ger. crusse, from O. H. Ger. kresan, to creep: Fr. cresson, It. crescione.] (Bot.) A plant of various species, chiefly of the family of Cruciferæ. The leaves of the true kinds have a moderately pungent taste, and are used as a salad and anti-scorbutic.

She, wretched matron, forced in age, for bread, To strip the brook with mantling cresses spread. Goldsmith.

☞ The garden-cress, called also pepper-grass, is the Lepidium sativum; the water-cress is the Nasturtium officinale. Loudon.