Emily Dickinson Lexicon

HAW'THORN, n. [Sax. hæg-thorn, hedge-thorn; Sw. hagtorn; Dan. hagetorn; G. hagedorn; D. haagedoorn.]

A shrub or tree which bears the haw, of the genus Cratægus; the white-thorn. The hawthorn is much used for hedges, and for standards in gardens. It grows naturally in all parts of Europe. Encyc.