litter
UK: ˈlɪtə | US: ˈlɪtər
n. scattered trash or waste in public places
n. a group of young animals born to an animal at one time
vt. to scatter objects untidily
vt. to give birth to a litter of animals
The word "litter" traces back to Old French litiere, meaning "bed" or "portable bed," derived from Latin lectaria (related to lectus, "bed"). Over time, it evolved to denote straw or other bedding material for animals, then expanded to include scattered debris (as straw might be strewn). The sense of "animal offspring" arose from the idea of a brood born in a single birthing bed.
The park was covered in litter after the festival.
The cat gave birth to a litter of six kittens.
Please don’t litter the streets with plastic waste.
A litter of puppies played in the yard.
Volunteers gathered to clean up the litter along the beach.