/kwins/ , n.
1. either of two small trees, Cydonia oblonga or C. sinensis, of the rose family, bearing hard, fragrant, yellowish fruit used chiefly for making jelly or preserves.
2. the fruit of such a tree.
[ 1275-1325; ME quince, appar. orig. pl. (taken as sing.) of quyne, coyn cooin cotoneum, akin to cydonium mêlon ) Kydónion quince, lit., (apple) of Cydonia ]