punkie

[ puhng-kee ]

noun

1. any of the minute biting gnats of the family Ceratopogonidae.

Word History and Origins

Origin of punkie¹

1760–70, Americanism; < New York Dutch *punkje, alteration of Munsee Delaware pónkwəs (equivalent to Proto-Algonquian *penkw- dust, ashes + *-ehs- diminutive suffix) + Dutch -je diminutive suffix

Example Sentences

Jean gave in and varnished his pelt thoroughly with my "punkie dope," as he called it; but, too late; the mischief was done.

From Project Gutenberg