Buckwheat \Buck"wheat`\, n. [Buck a beech tree + wheat; akin to D. boekweit, G. buchweizen.]

1. (Bot.) A plant (Fagopyrum esculentum) of the Polygonum family, the seed of which is used for food.

2. The triangular seed used, when ground, for griddle cakes, etc.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)