damson meaning: definition, etymology and quotations

damson

noun

UK /ˈdæmzən/

Etymology From Middle English damascene, damasyn, damacene, from Latin prūnum damascēnum (“Damascene plum, plum of Damascus”). Doublet of damascene.

A subspecies of plum tree, Prunus domestica subsp. insititia, native to Eurasia.

The edible fruit of this tree.

And if you come hether, / When Damſines I gether, / I will part them all you among.1579, Immeritô [pseudonym; Edmund Spenser], “Aprill. Ægloga Quarta.”, in The Shepheardes Calender: […], London: […] Hugh Singleton, […], →OCLC, folio 14, recto:
But Richmond […] appeared to lose himself in his own reflections. Some pickled crab, which he had not touched, had been removed with a damson pie; and his sister saw[…]that he had eaten no more than a spoonful of that either.1959, Georgette Heyer, chapter 1, in The Unknown Ajax, London; Melbourne, Vic.: William Heinemann, →OCLC:

adj

Etymology From Middle English damascene, damasyn, damacene, from Latin prūnum damascēnum (“Damascene plum, plum of Damascus”). Doublet of damascene.

The color of the fruit of this tree, a very deep purple.