Peat n. A substance of vegetable origin, consisting of roots and fibers, moss, etc., in various stages of decomposition, and found, as a kind of turf or bog, usually in low situations, where it is always more or less saturated with water. It is often dried and used for fuel.
Peat bog, a bog containing peat; also, peat as it occurs in such places; peat moss.
Peat moss.
(a)
The plants which, when decomposed, become peat.
(b)
A fen producing peat.
(c)
(Bot.) Moss of the genus Sphagnum, which often grows abundantly in boggy or peaty places.
Peat reek, the reek or smoke of peat; hence, also, the peculiar flavor given to whisky by being distilled with peat as fuel. (Scot.)
... to continue my fishing in such boisterous weather, but contemplated a hasty walk over to my uncle's farm. Our way lay westward in the face of the wind. The walk over the wet peat moss was difficult and tiring, and when I reached the Ring of Brogar I was glad to avail myself of the shelter afforded by the giant Druid stones that stand and wait by ... — The Pilots of Pomona • Robert Leighton