Also called husk tomato. any of several plants belonging to the genus Physalis, of the nightshade family, the several species bearing an edible berry enclosed in an enlarged calyx.
2.
any of several European dwarf cherries, especially Prunus fruticosa, of the rose family.
3.
the fruit of any of these plants.
Origin
1595-1605
British Dictionary definitions for ground cherry
ground cherry
noun
1.
any of various American solanaceous plants of the genus Physalis, esp P. pubescens, having round fleshy fruit enclosed in a bladder-like husk See also winter cherry, gooseberry (sense 4)