noun
also fas·nacht ˈfäsh(t)ˌnäḵt, ˈfäs(-
( -s )
Etymology: modification of Pennsylvania German fasnachtkuche, from fasnacht Shrove Tuesday, festival held on Shrove Tuesday (from Middle High German vastnaht, vasnaht Shrove Tuesday, from vaste fast — from Old High German fasta — + naht night, from Old High German) + kuche cake, from Old High German kuocho — more at fast , night , cake VI
1. : a doughnut made of yeast-leavened dough and traditionally eaten on Shrove Tuesday
2. usually capitalized
[Pennsylvania German fasnacht & German fastnacht Shrove Tuesday, festival held on Shrove Tuesday, from Middle High German vastnaht, vasnaht Shrove Tuesday]
: a festival of Christians of Germanic origin held on the last day before Lent and observed as a time of merrymaking preceding Lenten fasting