1A bean grown for use as animal fodder, especially the broad bean, Vicia faba.
2United States regional (Appalachian) dried pods of the green bean (Phaseolus vulgaris), used as food for humans (usually in plural); also called leather britches, shuck bean.
Origin
Mid 19th century.
Definition of fodder bean in US English:
fodder bean
noun
1A bean grown for use as animal fodder, especially the broad bean, Vicia faba.
2United States regional (Appalachian) dried pods of the green bean (Phaseolus vulgaris), used as food for humans (usually in plural); also called leather britches, shuck bean.