\As*par"a*gus\, n. [L., fr. Gr. ?, ?; cf. ? to swell
with sap or juice, and Zend ?paregha prong, sprout, Pers.
asparag, Lith. spurgas sprout, Skr. sphurj to swell. Perh.
the Greek borrowed from the Persian. Cf. {Sparrowgrass}.]
1. (Bot.) A genus of perennial plants belonging to the
   natural order {Liliace[ae]}, and having erect much
   branched stems, and very slender branchlets which are
   sometimes mistaken for leaves. {Asparagus racemosus} is a
   shrubby climbing plant with fragrant flowers.
   Specifically: The {Asparagus officinalis}, a species
   cultivated in gardens.
2. The young and tender shoots of {A. officinalis}, which
   form a valuable and well-known article of food.
Note: This word was formerly pronounced sparrowgrass; but
      this pronunciation is now confined exclusively to
      uneducated people.
{Asparagus beetle} (Zo["o]l.), a small beetle ({Crioceris
   asparagi}) injurious to asparagus.