Also Fighting cocks. A dial. name for the Ribwort Plantain (cf. COCK’S-HEAD), from a children’s game in which the tough stems with their flower-heads are struck against each other.
1847–78. in Halliwell.
1869. R. B. Peacock, Lonsdale Gloss., To fight cocks … with the tough tufted stems of the ribwort plantain.
