Etymology

bulrush

bul·rush
B3U1L1R1U1S1H4

Today it means: A plant referred to in the story of Moses as growing along the banks of the Nile, which is believed to be the papyrus (Cyperus papyrus). Full definition →

First used 18th c.Middle English bulrish
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The story

  1. Middle English · inherited frombulrish
  2. English todaybulrush

From Middle English bulrish, perhaps from bule (“bull”) (in the sense of "large") + rish (“rush”).

First known use, by meaning

  • from 18th c. Any of various reed-like plants growing near water, especially Typha domingensis and Typha orientalis; cumbungi, wonga.

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.