underbrush

[ uhn-der-bruhsh ]

/ ˈʌn dərˌbrʌʃ /

shrubs, saplings, low vines, etc., growing under the large trees in a wood or forest.

Also un·der·bush

[uhn-der-boo sh] /ˈʌn dərˌbʊʃ/.

Origin of underbrush

An Americanism dating back to 1765–75; under- + brush²

The two friends forced their way through the underbrush, Esperance a little in advance.

The Son of Monte Christo |Jules Lermina
All the underbrush had been carried away and the straight, sweet-smelling pines rose from a carpet of dry needles.

Jewel's Story Book |Clara Louise Burnham
Just then footsteps came crashing through the underbrush, and Mr. Hallam ran hurriedly up.

Gypsy Breynton |Elizabeth Stuart Phelps
The waters still covered the low, muddy banks strewn with fallen trees and underbrush.

Tenting on the Plains |Elizabeth B. Custer

Where a growth of cottonwood had held back the encroachment of the willows there usually was thick grass and underbrush.

The Lone Star Ranger |Zane Grey

underbrush

/ (ˈʌndəˌbrʌʃ) /

mainly US and Canadian undergrowth