Note: Yellow dock is Rumex crispus, with smooth curly leaves and yellow root, which that of other species is used medicinally as an astringent and tonic.
DOCK Dock, n. Etym: [Cf. Icel. dockr a short tail, Fries. dok a little bundle or bunch, G. docke bundle, skein, a short and thick column.]
1. The solid part of an animal's tail, as distinguished from the hair; the stump of a tail; the part of a tail left after clipping or cutting. Grew.
2. A case of leather to cover the clipped or cut tail of a horse.
DOCK
Dock, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Docked; p. pr. & vb. n. Docking.] Etym:
[See Dock a tail. Cf. W. tociaw, and twciaw, to dock, clip.]
1. to cut off, as the end of a thing; to curtail; to cut short; to clip; as, to dock the tail of a horse. His top was docked like a priest biforn. Chaucer.
2. To cut off a part from; to shorten; to deduct from; to subject to a deduction; as, to dock one's wages.
3. To cut off, bar, or destroy; as, to dock an entail.
DOCK Dock, n. Etym: [Akin to D. dok; of uncertain origin; cf. LL. doga ditch, L. doga ditch, L. doga sort of vessel, Gr.
1. An artificial basin or an inclosure in connection with a harbor or river, — used for the reception of vessels, and provided with gates for keeping in or shutting out the tide.