A dense, thorny shrub named for its thick, impenetrable growth that resembles a bear's protective hide or fur.
From Old English 'bera' (bear) and 'bush'. The name reflects how dense shrubs were compared to a bear's formidable appearance and the difficulty of penetrating them.
Calling something a 'bear-bush' was medieval folk taxonomy at its finest—name things after what they remind you of or how they make you feel when you encounter them!
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