[Origin unknown.
The conjecture of Hempl (Publ. Mod. Lang. Assoc. America, XIV. 455) that kipper is here a variant of pepper, pickle, in sense pungent, does not seem justified.]
1. = EARTH-NUT 1.
1597. Gerarde, Herbal, II. ccccxv. 905. Earth Nut, Earth Chestnut, or Kipper Nut.
1611. Cotgr., Noix chastaigne, the earth nut, Kipper nut, earth Chestnut.
1722. Quincy, Lex. Physico-Med. (ed. 2), 348. The Earth-nut, Kipper-nut or Pig-nut.
1846. Sowerby, Brit. Bot. (ed. 3).
2. The tuber of the Heath-pea: = EARTH-NUT 2.
1863. Prior, Pop. Names Brit. Plants.
1879. Britten & Holland, Plant-n.