Plural of cliver; goosegrass or sticky cleavers (Galium aparine), a common climbing plant with barbed stems and leaves.
From Old English cleofan meaning 'to split' or 'adhere,' reflecting the plant's extremely sticky, clinging nature. Also called goosegrass, catchweed, or cleavers.
Every language for goosegrass describes its stickiness—English has 'sticky cleavers,' 'catchweed,' and 'goosegrass,' all reflecting the same annoying quality, which shows how plant names come from direct human experience.
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