quahog

/ˈkwɔ.hɔɡ/

UK: /ˈkəʊ.hɒɡ/

KWƆ · hɔɡ (2 syllables)

English Noun Top 29,493

Definition

An edible clam with a hard shell found along the Atlantic Coast of North America, from species Mercenaria mercenaria, formerly Venus mercenaria.

Etymology

Most often thought to be from Narragansett poquaûhock (“hard clam”), or perhaps from pohkeni (“dark”) + hogki (“shell”). Alternatively from Mohegan-Pequot p'quaghhaug (“hard clam”) or another Algonquian language.