DCHP-3

saskatoon

[< Cree misāskwatomin fruit of the tree of many branches]
DCHP-1 (pre-1967)

Spelling variants:
Many spellings in 19th century: saskatome, saskatoom, saskatum, saskooturn, suskatum, etc.

Entry from the DCHP-1 (pre-1967)

This entry may contain outdated or offensive information, terms, and examples.

1n.

the edible, purplish berry of the saskatoon bush.

Quotations

1800
[Different kinds of berries are now ripe, such as strawberries, raspberries, and what the Canadians call paires, which the Natives denominate Mi-sas-qui-to-min-uck.]
1820
[Under the name of meesasscootoomeena it is a favourite dish at most of the Indian feasts, and mixed with pemmican, it renders that greasy food actually palatable.]
1821
Walked about two miles through a Wood, [saw] Strawberries, Raspberries . . . Sasquetuin. . . .
1955
Jake went right on with his Saskatoon pie, eating it real careful with his knife and fork.
1961
Sunday morning for breakfast we had . . . saskatoons, raspberries, and cranberries.
2n.

a species of serviceberry (def. 1), Amelanchier alnifolia, common in the West and prized for its succulent berries.

Quotations

1810
Vegetation is much advanced[;] the Sarskutum &c are in blossom. . . .
1883
There is also ash leaved maple, cherry, saskatoon, plum and hazel, of a small size.
1956
The serviceberries, also known as juneberries, shad-bushes, and, in the West, the Saskatoons, are deciduous species with simple alternate leaves and slender unarmed twigs.
3n.

the wood of the saskatoon bush.

Quotations

1890
The arrow was half the length of the bow, and was made from the saskatoon. . . .
1952
The saskatoon or choke-cherry-wood arrow was often driven clear through the body of the buffalo.