also -eese, pl., whence Yengee sing., stated to be a N. American Indian corruption of English, applied to the people of New England. (Cf. YANKEE.)
1819. Heckewelder, Ind. Nations, iii. (1876), 77. When the Yengeese arrived at Machtitschwanne, they looked about everywhere for good spots of land. Ibid., xiii. 143. Yengees. This name they [sc. the Chippeways and some other nations] now exclusively applied to the people of New England…. They say they know the Yengees, and can distinguish them by their dress and personal appearance…. The proper English they call Saggenash.
1826. J. F. Cooper, Last of Mohicans, xxix. ‘What art thou?’ ‘A woman; one of a hated race, if thou wilt—a Yengee.’ Ibid. It is a redskin in the pay of the Yengeese.
1834. Whittier, Mogg Megone, 40. A scalp or twain from the Yengees torn.
1845. Mary Gertrude, Philip Randolph, xiii. 84. As Philip was anxious to acquire more of the Indian language, he often applied to her for instruction, and she felt much gratified in being thus appealed to, telling him very readily the names of different things, and in return requesting to be taught them in the Yengee tongue.
1854. G. P. R. James, Ticonderoga, II. xii. 237. The Black Eagle may think that his Blossom is a flower fit to grow by the lodge of the Yengees, and too beautiful for the red man.
