† ˈirchin, irchon Obs.
Forms: 3 yrichon, 4 irchouon, 4–5 irchoun, yrchoun, 5 erchon, irchyn, yrchyn, 6 irchen, 6–7 irchin.
[a. ONF. *ir(e)chon (cf. Picard irechon, Walloon ireson, Hainaut hirchon) = OF. heri{cced}un, F. hérisson:—pop.L. *herīciōn-em: see hurcheon and urchin.]
1. A hedgehog.
| c 1290 S. Eng. Leg. I. 179/50 Heo stikeden al-so þicke on him so yrichon deth of piles. 1382 Wyclif Zeph. ii. 14 Onacratulus..and the yrchoun shuln dwelle in the threshefoldis therof. c 1430 Pilgr. Lyf Manhode ii. cxlv. (1869) 133 With poyntes she was armed al aboute, as an irchoun. 1486 Bk. St. Albans C iv b, Fede yowre hawke with an Irchyn onys or twyes, & it shall helpe hir. 1530 Palsgr. 235/1 Irchen a lyttel beest full of prickes, herisson. 1609 Bible (Douay) Ps. ciii[i]. 18 The rocke a refuge for the Irchins. |
b. A dish in cookery, so called from being made to bristle with almonds, etc. stuck over its surface.
| c 1430 Two Cookery-bks. 38 Yrchouns. Take Piggis mawys..Take a litel prycke, & prykke þe yrchons, An putte in þe holes þe Almaundys. c 1440 Anc. Cookery in Househ. Ord. (1790) 443. |
2. An urchin; a brat.
| 1625 Bp. R. Montagu App. Cæsar Ep. Ded. a ij b, Such Irchins it was necessary to disband, and send them away to shift for themselves, that our Mother the Church might no more be troubled with them. |