hackmatack

[< Algonk.; cf. Abnaki akemantak wood for snowshoes]

Esp. Maritimes

DCHP-1 (pre-1967)

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any of several evergreens, especially the common larch, or tamarack; also, the wood of such trees.

1774

[This town . . . affords great store of fine timber [including] tackamahacka, or juniper. . . .]

1823

Natural forest-trees are elm . . . white and yellow pine . . . hackmatack or juniper. . . .

1840

the hackmatac . . . is found in the largest quantities in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.

1949

"Well . . . first we took roots of the spruce or hackmatack, about so thick. . . ."

1957

"Hackmatack" to an Easterner is a shipbuilding term, but to the Westerner it is a larch or tamarack.