boetebossie, noun

/ˈbʊtəˌbɔsi/
Forms:
boete-bosch, boete bosjeShow more Formerly also boete-bosch, boete bosje, boetebossi, and with initial capital.
Origin:
AfrikaansShow more Afrikaans, boete a fine or penalty + bossie (earlier bosch, bosje see boschje) bush; see quotation 1906.
The noxious weed Xanthium spinosum of the Asteraceae, a native of tropical America.
1906 W.S. Johnson Orangia 14Why are the seeds so spiny? The boete bosje will answer that question. Its little seeds stick so closely in a sheep’s wool that they ruin the fleece, and therefore any one who allows this plant to flourish on his farm must pay a boete, or fine.
1913 C. Pettman Africanderisms 74Boetebossi or Boeteklis,..Xanthium spinosum.
1917 R. Marloth Dict. of Common Names of Plants 14Boetebossie, (Boeteklis). Xanthium spinosum (Burweed).
1966 C.A. Smith Common Names 151The Cape Government..passed legislation making the eradication of this burweed compulsory on pain of a fine or boete...The ready reaction of the countryside to this radical step is seen in the spontaneity with which it coined the name Boetebossie for the weed. It is significant too, that this name has been taken over into English without change, although sometimes rendered as Boete-bosch.
1977 E. Prov. Herald 28 Nov. 4It is alarming to see to what extent Scotch thistle is taking over in the district, and ‘he did not even want to mention Boetebossies’.
1980 A.J. Blignaut Dead End Rd 18Even if our sheep were full of boete-bossies they would still win.
The noxious weed Xanthium spinosum of the Asteraceae, a native of tropical America.
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Afrikaans
boetabessie, nounn.boetie, nounn.
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