Also cow-itch, (7–8 couhage, 8 cow edge). [A perversion of the Hindī name kiwāṅch, kawāṅch, contr. kawāch.] The stinging hairs of the pod of a tropical plant, Mucuna pruriens, N.O. Leguminosæ, formerly used as an anthelmintic; also the plant, or its pods.
‘The pods are 4 or 5 inches long, shaped like the letter ſ, and clothed with a thick coating of short stiff brittle hairs of a bright brown colour, the points of which are notched or finely serrated, and easily penetrate the skin, causing intolerable itching’ (Treas. Bot., 1866).
1640. Parkinson, Theat. Bot., 1056. The hairy Kidney-Beane called in Zurrate where it groweth Couhage.
1665. R. Hooke, Microgr., 145. Of Cowage … call’d commonly, though very improperly, Cow-itch.
1678. Butler, Hud., III. i. 319. With cow-itch meazle like a leper, And choak with fumes of Guiney-pepper.
1794–6. E. Darwin, Zoon. (1802), III. 80. The sharp spiculæ or hairs, which are found on the pods of cowhage, have been recommended in worm cases.
1841. J. T. Hewlett, Parish Clerk, I. 142. Methods of annoyance, adopted by boys towards ushers and teachers, such as putting cowage between their sheets.
1859. R. F. Burton, Centr. Afr., in Jrnl. Geog. Soc., XXIX. 107. In the dense jungle the cowhage … and the stiff reeds … annoy the half-naked porters.
1879. Garrod, Materia Med., 234. Cowhage has been used as an anthelmintic.
b. Creeping Cowage, a twining euphorbiaceous shrub, Tragia volubilis, having hairy capsules.
1750. G. Hughes, Barbadoes, 206. Cow-Itch. This is a long scandent vine.
1756. P. Browne, Jamaica, 336. The creeping Cowhage … well known on account of its sharp itching hairs.
c. Cowage cherry, a shrub of Central America, Malpighia urens; = BARBADOES CHERRY.
1725. Sloane, Jamaica, II. 106. Couhage Cherry.… The Leaves … have … their under Surface … very thick set with very small sharp Prickles lying along close to the Leaf, which fills ones Hand or Flesh coming to touch it … full of Prickles.
1756. P. Browne, Jamaica, 230. The Cowhage Cherry. This weakly shrub … is remarkable for the itchy setæ upon its younger leaves.
1878. Smiles, Robt. Dick, v. 41. He found a specimen of the cowitch shrub.
