n. 1 a any of various fleshy usu. large fruits with a hard skin, often used as containers, ornaments, etc. b any of various climbing or trailing plants of the family Cucurbitaceae bearing this fruit. Also called CUCURBIT. 2 the hollow hard skin of the gourd-fruit, dried and used as a drinking-vessel, water container, etc. gourdful n. (pl. -fuls).
[ ME f. AF gurde, OF gourde ult. f. L cucurbita ]