n. 1. a. Any of various evergreen or deciduous shrubs of the genus Gaylussacia in the heath family, especially those found in eastern North America, bearing edible bluish-black berries containing hard seedlike nutlets. b. Any of various erect deciduous or evergreen shrubs of the genus Vaccinium in the heath family, primarily of western North America, having edible blackish, blue, or red berries. 2. The fruit of any of these plants. [Probably alteration of hurtleberry, whortleberry; see WHORTLEBERRY.] |
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