haricot
UK[ˈhærɪkəʊ]US[ˈhærɪkoʊ]
n
a french bean of a variety with small white seeds, which is dried and used in cooking.
Etymology
the word 'haricot' entered english in the 17th century from the french 'haricot', meaning 'bean'. the french term itself has a more complex history, likely derived from the nahuatl (aztec) word 'ayacotli' through spanish intermediary forms like 'ayacote' or 'jaracote'. this etymological journey traces the bean's introduction from the americas to europe. the original nahuatl term was absorbed and phonetically adapted first into spanish and then into french, before being borrowed into english with its specific culinary meaning intact.
Analysis
this word is a loanword from french. it is not productively formed from identifiable english morphemes and is therefore treated as a simplex form.
Examples
the recipe calls for a cup of dried haricot beans.
she prepared a hearty stew with lamb and haricots.
haricot beans are a common ingredient in traditional french cassoulet.