Friday word: Gherkin

[med_cat]

gherkin, n. gher·kin \ˈgər-kən\

1a : a small prickly fruit used for pickling; also : a pickle made from this fruit

b : the slender annual vine (Cucumis anguria) of the gourd family that bears gherkins

2: the immature fruit of the cucumber especially when used for pickling
~~
West Indian gherkin:




First Known Use: 1661

Example

It was salad with cheese and meat that was topped with slivers of gherkins.
—
susan selasky, sacbee.com, "Tiny cornichons are big addition to salads and sauces," 30 May 2017


Etymology

Dutch gurken, plural of gurk cucumber, ultimately from Middle Greek agouros