obs. var. of TAP-ROOT; hence † Top-rooted a., = tap-rooted.
1651. N. Bacon, Disc. Govt. Eng., II. xxxvii. 283. Edward the sixth came in like a storm that tore up Episcopacy by the Roots, yet a Top-Root remained intire with the stock.
1669. Worlidge, Syst. Agric., vi. § 9 (1681), 105. Leave as much of the Root on as you can, abating only the top-Root, or downright Roots.
1765. A. Dickson, Treat. Agric. (ed. 2), 278. The top-rooted plants, that is, such as push one principal root perpendicularly downwards.
