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.