Bot. Also 6 vitchelinge, 7 fetchling. [f. VETCH + -LING.]
1. A plant or species of the genus Lathyrus († also Hedysarum); the genus itself.
1578. Lyte, Dodoens, 485. Galega altera may also be wel called in English Small wilde Vetches or Vitchelinges.
1640. [see buckler vetchling in 2].
1753. Chambers Cycl., Suppl. App., Vetchling, the English name of a distinct genus of plants, known among botanists by that of aphaca.
1760. J. Lee, Introd. Bot., App. 331. Vetchling, Hedysarum.
1822. Hortus Anglicus, II. 243. Lathyrus Aphaca. Yellow Lathyrus, or Vetchling.
1842. C. W. Johnson, Farmers Encycl., 1216/2. There are seven indigenous species of vetchling, or everlasting pea.
1861. S. Thomson, Wild Fl. (ed. 4), III. 200. We have a good many vetches and vetchlings.
1894. Daily News, 5 June, 6/5. Mineral manures, including potash, give a great development of clover, vetchlings, &c.
2. With distinguishing terms.
1777. Jacob, Catal. Plants, 57. Lathyrus pratensis, Tare everlasting, or common yellow *bastard Vetchling.
1640. Parkinson, Theat. Bot., 1082. Onobrychis clypeata aspera minor. The lesser *buckler Fetchling.
1842. Hooker, Brit. Flora, I. 90. L. Nissolia, *crimson Vetchling, or Grass Vetch.
1796. Withering, Brit. Pl. (ed. 3), III. 635. Lathyrus palustris. Chickling Vetch. *Marsh Vetchling. Ibid., 634. Lathyrus pratensis. Common Yellow, or *Meadow Vetchling.
1834. Brit. Husb., I. 511. Lathyrus pratensis, or meadow vetchling, furnishes a copious, succulent and tender herbage.
1902. Cornish, Naturalist Thames, 174. Meadow vetchling and the tall meadow crowfoot.
1578. Lyte, Dodoens, 484. Saint Foin. *Medick Vetcheling.
1731. Miller, Gard. Dict., s.v. Onobrychis, Smaller Cocks head, with rough Fruit or Medick Vetchling.
1760. J. Lee, Introd. Bot., App. 33. Medic Vetchling, Hedysarum.
1842. Hooker, Brit. Flora, 89. Lathyrus hirsutus, L., *rough-podded Vetchling.
1753. Chambers Cycl., Suppl., Aphaca, the *yellow vetchling.
1775. Essays Agric., 426. The common yellow vetchling, Lathyrus pratensis, or everlasting tare.
1863. Gosse in Intell. Observer, III. 318. The hedgerows are still gay with flowers; the abundant yellow vetchling, two species of St. Johns wort, the toad-flax and hawkweeds supply the golden colours.
1880. Jefferies, Gt. Estate, 138. The yellow vetchling had climbed up from the ditch.