Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary, 11th Edition
WEED
I. noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English wēod weed, herb; akin to Old Saxon wiod weed Date: before 12th century
1. a. a plant that is not valued where it is growing and is usually of vigorous growth, a weedy growth of plants, an aquatic plant, c. tobacco products, marijuana ,
2. an obnoxious growth, thing, or person, something like a weed in detrimental quality,
II. verb Date: before 12th century intransitive verb to remove weeds or something harmful, transitive verb
1. to clear of weeds , b. to free from something hurtful or offensive, to remove the less desirable portions of, to get rid of (something harmful or superfluous),
III. noun
Etymology: Middle English wede, from Old English wǣd, gewǣde; akin to Old Norse vāth cloth, clothing and perhaps to Lithuanian austi to weave Date: before 12th century garment ,
2. dress worn as a sign of mourning (as by a widow), a band of crape worn on a man's hat as a sign of mourning