0 used in some parts of northern England and Scotland to refer to gorse (= a wild bush with sharp thorns and small, yellow flowers), or to a gorse bush:
The white creature disappeared into the whin bushes.
They cleared the whins off the mountain and drained the bogs.
The eradication of bracken, whins or gorse growing on a pastoral farm at the commencement of a tenancy.
However, an 1884 book said the site was merely a rocky face, studded with blooming whins in summer, and a row of blasted ash-trees.
There were wash-outs, water in the shafts, uncertain gradients, excessive small faultings, whin intrusions, burnt coal—all in one colliery.
Attempts were made to block the breach with clay, whin, straw, etc to no avail.