Chokeberry
/ˈtʃoʊkˌbɛri/noun
A type of berry from the shrubs of the genus Aronia, known for its astringent taste.
Did you know?Chokeberries were used by Indigenous peoples both as food and for their medicinal properties, believed to ward off evil spirits.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*gʰeu̯-
“to pour, to flow; to swell.”
Old English
Old English
cocca
“a term for berries, possibly related to the choking sensation.”
Middle English
Middle English
chokke
“to strangle or suffocate.”
17th Century
English
chokeberry
“a name for the fruit reflecting its astringent, choking flavor.”