The tree Carica Papaya.
1613. The Papaios will not grow, but male and female together.—Purchas, ‘Pilgrimage,’ (1614) 505 (N.E.D.).
1760. Papaw-tree of N. America.—Annona. J. Lee, ‘Introd Bot.,’ 321, App. (N.E.D.).
1806. The fruit of the papaw when ripe, exactly resembles in taste, flavor, composition and colour, a custard of the best quality.—Thomas Ashe, ‘Travels in America,’ i. 192 (Lond., 1808).
1826. Here [Steubenville, in Ohio] we first began to notice the pawpaw, persimon, and other new and beautiful shrubs and plants, peculiar to this climate.—T. Flint, ‘Recollections,’ p. 22.
1835. The papaw [sic] tree, with its heavy luscious fruit, was the greatest curiosity.—C. J. Latrobe, ‘The Rambler in North America,’ i. 101 (N.Y.).
