noun
or ger·kin ˈgərkə̇n, ˈgə̄k-, ˈgəik-
( -s )
Etymology: Dutch gurken, plural of gurk cucumber, from augurk, from Low German augurke, from Middle Low German, from Polish ogurek, from Middle Greek agouros watermelon, cucumber, probably from Middle Persian angārah watermelon
1.
a. : a small oblong prickly cucumber of West Indian origin that is used chiefly for pickling — called also bur gherkin, West Indian gherkin
b. : a slender annual trailing vine ( Cucumis anguria ) that bears gherkins
2. : the immature fruit of the common cultivated cucumber especially when used for pickling