ˈpigeon-pea
[= F. pois-pigeon, in sense 1.]
1. A leguminous shrub, Cajanus cajan, probably native to Africa, but widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions; = Cajan, dal.
| 1725 Sloane Jamaica II. 31 Pigeon-pease..their chief use is to feed pigeons, whence the name. 1756 P. Browne Jamaica 196 Pigeon or Angola Peas. 1760 J. Lee Introd. Bot. App. 322 Pigeon Pea, Cytisus. 1858 Hogg Veg. Kingd. 279 In Jamaica..the plant has been called Pigeon Pea. 1866 Treas. Bot. 189 In the West Indies they [the two varieties of Cajanus indicus] are called Pigeon peas. 1907 Freeman & Chandler World's Commercial Products 260 Pigeon Pea or Dhol of commerce..is an erect sub-shrubby plant..widely cultivated in the tropics and sub-tropics of both hemispheres. 1952 S. Selvon Brighter Sun v. 85 Is just dat yuh must love de tomatoes and lettuce and pigeon peas. 1969 Oxf. Bk. Food Plants 34/1 In the West Indies..pigeon peas provide a useful part of the protein supply in the diet of the poorer people, and a canning industry has been developed. 1972 I. Arnon Crop Production in Dry Regions II. vi. 255 The Pigeon-pea (Cajanus cajan) is a tropical legume of very ancient cultivation that is grown in tropical and sub⁓tropical regions of Asia and Africa. 1975 Sunday Advocate-News (Barbados) 15 June 8/1 Pigeon peas, rice,..bread and cream of wheat are fairly good nutritional buys. |
2. The black bitter-vetch, Ervum Ervilia.
| 1884 in Miller Plant-n. |