[Note: This entry was formerly crowdweed.]
kraut weed n Also crout (weed), krout weed and, by folk-etym, crowd weed [Appar from the smell of the plant; see quot 1857 (Cooper’s Clarksburg Reg.) ] nVA, WV
Any of several naturalized cruciferous plants (family Brassicaceae) that are serious weeds in grain fields, esp charlock mustard (Sinapis arvensis).
1857 Alexandria Gaz. (VA) 6 June [2]/2 cnVA, Crout in the Wheat.—In this region—and we understand in some of the adjoining counties—the Crout weed has proved more destuctive [sic] to the growing wheat crops than all other causes combined. 1857 Cooper’s Clarksburg Reg. (WV) 17 July [4]/1 neVA, Persons acquainted with garlic, ox-eye weed, &c., say it is worse than any weed we have among us. It is called “Krout Weed” from the smell of its flowers, which, it is said, resembles the smell of old cabbage. It has much the appearance of May Weed before it blooms, . . though the leaves are smooth on the edges and the blossoms are yellow. 1892 WV Ag. Exper. Sta. Bulletin 24.330, B[rassica] sinapistrum, Boiss. [=Sinapis arvensis] Charlock, “Crowd-weed,” Kraut-weed. A miserable weed in wheat fields in Jefferson and Berkeley counties. Less abundant elsewhere throughout the State. Ibid 331, L[epidium] campestre. . . English Peppergrass, “Glenn-weed,” “Glenn-pepper,” “Crowd-weed.” An exceedingly abundant weed in Jefferson and Berkeley counties, where it is known as “Glenn-weed,” it being first noticed in the fields of Colonel Glenn. 1900 Lyons Plant Names 316, R[áphanus] Raphanístrum. . . Krautweed. 1924 Natl. Geogr. Mag. 45.158/1, Neither Canada Thistle nor krautweed ever spread more like wildfire in a new environment than did the lantana [in Hawaii].