MULCH

mulch

(noun) a protective covering of rotting vegetable matter spread to reduce evaporation and soil erosion

mulch

(verb) cover with mulch; “mulch the flowerbeds”

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

mulch (countable and uncountable, plural mulches)

(agriculture, horticulture) Any material used to cover the top layer of soil to protect, insulate, or decorate it, or to discourage weeds or retain moisture.

(countable, agriculture) A material used as mulch, as a decorative redwood bark mulch.

Verb

mulch (third-person singular simple present mulches, present participle mulching, simple past and past participle mulched)

(agriculture) To apply mulch.

(agriculture) To turn into mulch.

Source: Wiktionary

Mulch, n. Etym: [Cf. mull dirt, also Prov. G. mulsch, molsch, rotten, soft, mellow, as fruit.]

Definition: Half-rotten straw, or any like substance strewn on the ground, as over the roots of plants, to protect from heat, drought, etc., and to preserve moisture.

Mulch, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Mulched; p. pr. & vb. n. Mulching.]

Definition: To cover or dress with mulch.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition