▪ I. cowish, n.
(ˈkaʊɪʃ)
[prob. an imitation of an American Indian name.]
A plant with an edible root found in the valley of the Columbia River in North America.
| 1838 S. Parker Explor. Tour Rocky Mts. (1846) 223 The cowish or biscuit root grows on dry land, is somewhat larger than a walnut, tastes like a sweet potato. |
▪ II. cowish, a.
(ˈkaʊɪʃ)
[f. cow n.1 + -ish.]
1. Like a cow; of the nature of a cow.
| 1570 Levins Manip. 145/9 Cowish, vaccinius. 1607 Schol. Disc. agst. Antichr. i. ii. 60 Brentius saith, A circle representeth Christes death as well as a Crosse..Peter Viret sayd: A Cowe is as good a signe of it..The cowish and circle-like signe. |
† 2. Cowardly. Obs.
| 1579 W. A. Rem. Lawless Love, Vision of Raw Devise 10 Amid the crewe of cowish carped knightes. 1605 Shakes. Lear iv. ii. 12 The Cowish terror of his spirit. |