Original: As an adjective , the word vegetable is used in scientific and technical contexts with a different and much broader meaning , namely of '' related to plants '' in general , edible or not â '' as in vegetable matter , vegetable kingdom , vegetable origin , etc. . The meaning of '' vegetable '' as '' plant grown for food '' was not established until the 18th century .
Simplified: The word '' vegetable '' can also be used to mean plants in general , such as when people say '' Animal , Vegetable , or Mineral . ''