An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

A partially carbonized vegetable matter, usually mosses, found in bogs and used as fertilizer and fuel.

Etymology (EN): M.E. pete, of unknown origin.

Etymology (PE): Turb, from Fr. tourbe, from Germanic turba; cf. O.Fris. turf, O.H.G. zurba, Ger. Torf, O.E. turf, tyrf “slab of soil and grass,” E. turf.