caraway

plural caraways · alternative obsolete carraway

1. countableuncountableA biennial plant of species Carum carvi, native to Europe and Asia, mainly grown for its seed to be used as a culinary spice.

   Caraway has a reputed aphrodisiac virtue. It is frequently mentioned in Oriental love manuals.

   1961, Harry E. Wedeck, Dictionary of Aphrodisiacs, New York: The Citadel Press, page 56

   1 more example

   "I'll be sure to move aside," replied Sancho, "but may it please God," he continued, "that it turns out to be oregano and not fulling hammers."² [...] 2. Sancho is citing part of a proverb—"May it please God that this is oregano and not caraway"—which warns against fool's gold (oregano was considered more valuable than caraway).

   Part 1 published in 1605, Part 2 in 1615, translated in 2003, Miguel de Cervantes and translated by Edith Grossman, Don Quixote, page 153

2. countableuncountableThe seed-like fruit of the caraway plant.
3. countableuncountableA cake or sweetmeat containing caraway seeds.

   I'll eat her marchpane and her caraways

   1897, Imogen Clark, Will Shakespeare's Little Lad

   1 more example

   the housewife of today can surely match the skill of those of three centuries ago and make "caraways” or cheesecakes

   1916, The Country Gentleman

plural Caraways

1. A surname.