<p><strong>Noun</strong></p><ul><li>Any of several mostly climbing plants belonging to the genus <em>Vicia</em>, of the legume family, having pinnate leaves ending in tendrils and bearing pealike flowers, especially <em>V. sativa</em> (spring vetch), cultivated for forage and soil improvement.</li><li>Any of various allied plants, as <em>Lathyrus sativus</em>, of Europe, cultivated for their edible seeds and for forage.</li><li>The beanlike seed or fruit of any such plant.</li></ul>