The word "gorse" is a noun that refers to a prickly, evergreen shrub that is native to Europe and North Africa. It is also commonly known as furze or whin. Furze is the more common synonym for gorse, and it is most commonly used in British English. Whin, on the other hand, is more commonly used in Scottish and Northern English dialects. Other synonyms for gorse include may, tern, and hawthorn. These words are typically used to describe other types of flowering shrubs that have similar characteristics to gorse, such as their spiky leaves and bright yellow flowers.