tiller3

 
Pronunciation: /ˈtɪlə/

noun

  • a lateral shoot from the base of the stem of a plant, especially in a grass or cereal.

verb

[no object] (usually as noun tillering)
  • (of a plant) develop tillers: tight grass management encourages tillering

Origin:

mid 17th century (denoting a sapling arising from the stool of a felled tree): apparently based on Old English telga 'bough', of Germanic origin