Definition of the word wattle

The word "wattle" originated from the Old English word "wætlan," which was a combination of "wætan," meaning "to weave," and "-lan," which is a suffix used to form nouns from verbs. In Old English, "wætlan" referred to a practice of weaving interlaced strips of wood, twigs, or other materials, such as wicker or woven bamboo, into a lattice or frame for various purposes, including construction, fencing, and clothing. The Old English word evolved into Middle English "watten," and the Modern English word "wattle" still retains the root meaning of weaving or plaiting materials to create a structure. Today, the term "wattle" is commonly used to describe the crisscrossed pattern created by weaving thin strips of wood, often willow or hazel, into panels, which were commonly used in medieval and Renaissance architecture to fill in gaps between wooden frames to create walls or panels. In botanical contexts, "wattle" refers to the pendulous inflorescence of certain leguminous plants, particularly the Acacia genus, characterized by a mass of yellow, globular, or pea-like flowers.