The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Turf \Turf\ (t[^u]rf), n.; pl. Turfs (t[^u]rfs), Obs. Turves
   (t[^u]rvz). [AS. turf; akin to D. turf peat, G. torf, OHG.
   zurba turf, Sw. & Icel. torf turf, peat, Dan. t["o]rv, Skr.
   darbha a kind of grass, a tuft of grass. [root]242.]
   1. That upper stratum of earth and vegetable mold which is
      filled with the roots of grass and other small plants, so
      as to adhere and form a kind of mat; sward; sod.
      [1913 Webster]

            At his head a grass-green turf.       --Shak.
      [1913 Webster]

            The Greek historian sets her in the field on a high
            heap of turves.                       --Milton.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. Peat, especially when prepared for fuel. See Peat.
      [1913 Webster]

   3. Race course; horse racing; -- preceded by the. "We . . .
      claim the honors of the turf." --Cowper.
      [1913 Webster]

   Note: Turf is often used adjectively, or to form compounds
         which are generally self-explaining; as, turf ashes,
         turf cutter or turf-cutter, turf pit or turf-pit,
         turf-built, turf-clad, turf-covered, etc.
         [1913 Webster]

   Turf ant (Zool.), a small European ant (Formica flava)
      which makes small ant-hills on heaths and commons.

   Turf drain, a drain made with turf or peat.

   Turf hedge, a hedge or fence formed with turf and plants of
      different kinds.

   Turf house, a house or shed formed of turf, common in the
      northern parts of Europe.

   Turf moss a tract of turfy, mossy, or boggy land.

   Turf spade, a spade for cutting and digging turf, longer
      and narrower than the common spade.
      [1913 Webster]