puccoon

[ puh-koon ]

noun

1. any of certain plants that yield a red dye, as the bloodroot and certain plants belonging to the genus Lithospermum, of the borage family.
2. the dye itself.

puccoon

/ pəˈkuːn /

noun

1. Also calledalkanet any of several North American boraginaceous plants of the genus Lithospermum, esp L. canescens, that yield a red dye See also gromwell
2. any of several other plants that yield a reddish dye, esp the bloodroot ( red puccoon )
3. the dye from any of these plants

Word History and Origins

Origin of puccoon¹

First recorded in 1605–15, Americanism; from Virginia Algonquian ( English spelling) poughkone the herb Lithospermum vulgare and the red dye made from its root (cognate with Unami Delaware pé˙kɔ˙n “bloodroot”)

Word History and Origins

Origin of puccoon¹

C17: of Algonquian origin; see pokeweed

Example Sentences

In late April when the mosquitoes, flies, and gnats come out, Kainta shows me how a layer of bear grease mixed with a powder of red puccoon root keeps the bugs away.

From Literature

At their suggestion his sign was painted with puccoon root stain upon the sides of the wagon covers.

From Project Gutenberg

They very often set up pyramidal stones and pillars, which they color with puccoon, and other sorts of paint, and which they adorn with peak, roenoke, &c.

From Project Gutenberg

They stained the head and shoulder red with the juice of the puccoon.

From Project Gutenberg

They two have strings of pearl thicker than the stem of the grape vine; they are painted with puccoon, and the feathers of the bluebird and the red-bird are upon them.

From Project Gutenberg