Groundnut \Ground"nut`\ (ground"n[u^]t`), n. (Bot.)
(a) The fruit of the {Arachis hypog[ae]a} (native country
uncertain); the peanut; the earthnut.
(b) A leguminous, twining plant ({Apios tuberosa}), producing
clusters of dark purple flowers and having a root
tuberous and pleasant to the taste.
(c) The dwarf ginseng ({Aralia trifolia}). [U. S.] --Gray.
(d) A European plant of the genus {Bunium} ({B. flexuosum}),
having an edible root of a globular shape and sweet,
aromatic taste; -- called also {earthnut}, {earth
chestnut}, {hawknut}, and {pignut}.
[1913 Webster]