lucern
Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)
Lucern \Lu"cern\, n. [F. luzerne.] (Bot.) A leguminous plant (Medicago sativa), having bluish purple cloverlike flowers, cultivated for fodder; -- called also alfalfa. [Written also lucerne.] [1913 Webster]
Lucern \Lu"cern\, n. [L. lucerna.] A lamp. [Obs.] --Lydgate. [1913 Webster]
Lucern \Lu"cern\, n. [Etymology uncertain.] [Obs.] [1913 Webster]
1.A sort of hunting dog; -- perhaps from Lucerne, in Switzerland. [1913 Webster]
My lucerns, too, or dogs inured to hunt Beasts of most rapine.— Chapman.[1913 Webster]
2.An animal whose fur was formerly much in request (by some supposed to be the lynx). [Written also lusern and luzern.] [1913 Webster]
The polecat, mastern, and the richskinned lucern I know to chase.— Beau. & Fl.[1913 Webster]