persimmon

Where does the word "persimmon" come from? It comes from Powhatan pasiminan, and was adopted directly into English (1600s).

Persimmon’s story begins in Powhatan: pasiminan meant “a dried fruit.” Literally "a dried fruit". It reached English by 1600s as persimmon. Powhatan 'pessemmins'; John Smith said unripe ones 'draw a man's mouth awrie'. Today, persimmon means a sweet, orange fruit that must ripen fully before eating.

1. Stage 1 · Powhatan · pre-1600s pasiminan "a dried fruit", literally "a dried fruit".
2. Stage 2 · English · 1600s persimmon "a sweet, orange fruit", Powhatan 'pessemmins'; John Smith said unripe ones 'draw a man's mouth awrie'.