Definition of "sweet-fern" []

• A fragrant shrub, Myrica (Comptonia) asplenifolia. Its leaves, which are fern-like in aspect, contain 9 or 10 per cent. of tannin. See Comptonia. (noun)
• The European sweet cicely, Myrrhis odorata, which has leaves dissected like those of a fern. (noun)

The Century Dictionary (Public Domain)

• "I have not heard so much as a locust over the sweet-fern these three hours."
• "Smaller plants are mostly grasses, lowbush blueberry, and sweet-fern."
• "Squirrels chased each other along the branches of the oaks, and the air was filled with fragrant odors of hickory-leaves, sweet-fern, and spice-wood."