Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
Osier \O"sier\, n. [F. osier: cf. {Prov}. F. oisis, Armor. ozil,
aozil, Gr. ?, ?, ?, L. vitex, and E. withy.] (Bot.)
(a) A kind of willow ({Salix viminalis}) growing in wet
places in Europe and Asia, and introduced into North
America. It is considered the best of the willows for
basket work. The name is sometimes given to any kind
of willow.
(b) One of the long, pliable twigs of this plant, or of
other similar plants.
The rank of osiers by the murmuring stream.
--Shak.
{Osier bed}, or {Osier holt}, a place where willows are grown
for basket making. [Eng.]
{Red osier}.
(a) A kind of willow with reddish twigs ({Salix rubra}).
(b) An American shrub ({Cornus stolonifera}) which has
slender red branches; -- also called {osier cornel}.