Catkin (noun)

A type of flower cluster in which many tiny flowers are attached to a single stem, often found in trees such as willows, birches, and oaks.

Origin:

Derived from the middle low german word "katteken", meaning "little cat".

Examples:

1. The catkins on the willow tree swayed gently in the breeze.
2. Catkins are often one of the first signs of spring, appearing before the leaves on the trees.
3. Catkins are an important food source for many species of wildlife, including squirrels and birds.
4. The long, dangling catkins of the birch tree are a distinctive feature of this species.
5. Catkins are usually male flowers, which release their pollen to fertilize the female flowers on the same tree or on other trees of the same species.