cowitch

[ kou-ich ]
/ ˈkaʊ ɪtʃ /

noun

Origin of cowitch

First recorded in 1795–1805

Definition for cowitch (2 of 2)

cowage

or cow·hage, cow·itch

[ kou-ij ]
/ ˈkaʊ ɪdʒ /

noun

a tropical vine, Mucuna pruriens, of the legume family, bearing reddish or blackish pods.
the pod itself, covered with bristlelike hairs that are irritating to the skin and cause intense itching.
the hairs of the cowage mixed with a liquid vehicle and used to expel intestinal worms.

Origin of cowage

1630–40; < Hindi kãũch, kēvā̃c (compare kavac any husk or pod), reshaped in E by folk etymology

British Dictionary definitions for cowitch (1 of 2)

cowitch
/ (ˈkaʊɪtʃ) /

noun

another name for cowage

Word Origin for cowitch

C17: alteration of cowage by folk etymology

British Dictionary definitions for cowitch (2 of 2)

cowage

cowhage

/ (ˈkaʊɪdʒ) /

noun

a tropical climbing leguminous plant, Stizolobium (or Mucuna) pruriens, whose bristly pods cause severe itching and stinging
the pods of this plant or the stinging hairs covering them

Word Origin for cowage

C17: from Hindi kavāch, of obscure origin