I. ˈpepərˌkȯrn, -pəˌkȯ(ə)n noun
Etymology: Middle English pepercorn, from Old English piporcorn, from pipor pepper + corn — more at corn
1. : a dried berry of the black pepper
2. : a trifling return by way of acknowledgment — compare peppercorn rent
II. adjective
1. : consisting of a peppercorn : trivial
2. of hair : woolly and closely spiraled into twisted clumps or knots
the peppercorn hair of the Hottentots