What does "vetch" mean?

Vetch: Any leguminous plant of the genus Vicia, some species of which are valuable for fodder. The common species is V. sativa. Note: The name is also applied to many other leguminous plants of different genera; as the chichling vetch, of the genus Lathyrus; the horse vetch, of the genus Hippocrepis; the kidney vetch (Anthyllis vulneraria); the milk vetch, of the genus Astragalus; the licorice vetch, or wild licorice (Abrus precatorius).

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