Word Study
cranberry
CIDE DICTIONARY
cranberry, n. [So named from its fruit being ripe in the spring when the cranes return. Dr. Prior. ].
A red, acid berry, much used for making sauce, etc.; also, the plant producing it (several species of Vaccinum or Oxycoccus .) The high cranberry or cranberry tree is a species of Viburnum (Viburnum Opulus ), and the other is sometimes called low cranberry or marsh cranberry to distinguish it. [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
cranberry, n. (pl. -ies)
1 any evergreen shrub of the genus Vaccinium, esp. V. macrocarpon of America and V. oxycoccos of Europe, yielding small red acid berries.
2 a berry from this used for a sauce and in cooking. Also called fen-berry.
1 any evergreen shrub of the genus Vaccinium, esp. V. macrocarpon of America and V. oxycoccos of Europe, yielding small red acid berries.
2 a berry from this used for a sauce and in cooking. Also called fen-berry.
Etymology
17th c.: named by Amer. colonists f. G Kranbeere, LG kranebere crane-berry
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