gherkin Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun any of various small cucumbers pickled whole
  2. noun small prickly cucumber

WordNet

Gher"kin noun
Etymology
D. agurkje, a dim. akin to G. gurke, Dan. agrke; cf. Pol. ogórek, Bohem. okurka, LGr. watermelon, Ar. al-khiyar, Per. khiyar.
Definitions
  1. (Bot.) A kind of small, prickly cucumber, much used for pickles.
  2. (Zoöl.) See Sea gherkin.

Webster 1913