Etymology: probably alteration of fescue grass
: a tall American bromegrass (Bromus catharticus) that somewhat resembles chess and is cultivated for hay and forage in the southern United States and other mild regions
* * *
a grass, Bromus unioloides (or B. catharticus), of tropical America, having clusters of flattened spikelets, grown for forage.
[1880-85, Amer.; rescue, perh. alter. of FESCUE]
* * *
rescue grass,
a variety of brome grass native to South America, grown for forage.
Useful english dictionary. 2012.