macock

English

Etymology

Borrowed from Carolina Algonquian macócqwer (plural) or Powhatan mahcawq (“small pumpkin”), or from a combination of the two.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈmeɪkɒk/

Noun

macock (plural macocks)

1. (historical) A particular plant formerly grown by Native Americans of Virginia and Maryland, thought to be a variety of squash.
   • 1612, John Smith, Map of Virginia, quoted by Kupperman in 1988:

     In May amongst their corne they plant Pumpeons, and a fruit like unto a muske millen, but lesse and worse, which they call Macocks.

See also

• mocuck