\Lu"cern\, n. [Etymology uncertain.] [Obs.]
1. A sort of hunting dog; -- perhaps from Lucerne, in
   Switzerland.
         My lucerns, too, or dogs inured to hunt Beasts of
         most rapine.                          --Chapman.
2. An animal whose fur was formerly much in request (by some
   supposed to be the lynx). [Written also {lusern} and
   {luzern}.]
         The polecat, mastern, and the richskinned lucern I
         know to chase.                        --Beau. & Fl.

\Lu"cern\, n. [F. luzerne.] (Bot.)
A leguminous plant ({Medicago sativa}), having bluish purple
cloverlike flowers, cultivated for fodder; -- called also
{alfalfa}. [Written also {lucerne}.]

\Lu"cern\, n. [L. lucerna.]
A lamp. [Obs.] --Lydgate.