tuckahoe

[ tuhk-uh-hoh ]

noun

1. Also called Indian bread. the edible, underground sclerotium of the fungus Poria cocos, found on the roots of trees in the southern United States.
2. arrow arum.
3. (usually initial capital letter) a Virginian, especially one inhabiting the lowland east of the Blue Ridge.

Word History and Origins

Origin of tuckahoe¹

First recorded in 1605–15, Americanism; earlier applied to various roots and underground fungi, from Virginia Algonquian ( English spelling) tockwhogh, tockawhoughe, taccaho “arrow arum root” (used for bread), derivative of Proto-Algonquian takwah- “to pound (it) fine, reduce (it) to flour” (unattested); compare Shawnee takhwa “bread”

Example Sentences

There is another root found in Virginia called tuckahoe, and confounded with the flag-like root described above, and erroneously supposed by many to grow without stem or leaf.

From Project Gutenberg

The roots of tuckahoe, often as large as a man's arm, contain a crystalline acid that burns the mouth of a human being like fire.

From Project Gutenberg

Later on, the women spread a great breakfast of fish and turkey and venison, maize bread, tuckahoe and pohickory.

From Project Gutenberg

While tuckahoe is not a fattening feed, hogs eating it make satisfactory gains in weight.

From Project Gutenberg