Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary, 11th Edition
TURF
I. noun (plural turfs; also turves)
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English; akin to Old High German zurba turf, Sanskrit darbha tuft of grass Date: before 12th century
1. the upper stratum of soil bound by grass and plant roots into a thick mat, an artificial substitute for this (as on a playing field), grass 3,
2. peat 2, a piece of peat dried for fuel,
3. a track or course for horse racing, the sport or business of horse racing,
4. territory considered by a teenage gang to be under its control, territory 2 , turfy adjective
II. transitive verb
Date: 15th century
to cover with turf, to eject forcibly ; kick