Illustration of chow chow
chowchow
1 of 2noun (1)
chow·chow ˈchau̇-ˌchau̇ 
1
: a Chinese preserve of ginger, fruits, and peels in heavy syrup
2
: a relish of chopped mixed pickles in mustard sauce
chow chow
2 of 2noun (2)
ˈchau̇-ˌchau̇
often capitalized both Cs
: any of a breed of heavy-coated sturdy muscular dogs of Chinese origin having a broad head and muzzle, a distinctive blue-black tongue and black-lined mouth, and either a long dense coat with a full ruff or a short smooth coat
called also chow
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web
Kristin Braswell, Travel + Leisure, 22 Aug. 2021 Panzer’s pickles, sauerkraut and chowchow were brined in Fells Point. Jacques Kelly, baltimoresun.com, 3 Apr. 2021 Pinckney was at the dinner that night, trying to acknowledge and refute history over watermelon brandy, chowchow, shrimp pie, chapon chasseur, and truffled squab served with silver ewers of walnut ketchup. Lauren Collins, The New Yorker, 14 Apr. 2017
Noun
Hearty dishes include cabbage stuffed with beef from nearby Wolf Hills Farm and served with Milton's version of chowchow, the ubiquitous Southern relish. Kristin Braswell, Travel + Leisure, 22 Aug. 2021 Panzer’s pickles, sauerkraut and chowchow were brined in Fells Point. Jacques Kelly, baltimoresun.com, 3 Apr. 2021 Pinckney was at the dinner that night, trying to acknowledge and refute history over watermelon brandy, chowchow, shrimp pie, chapon chasseur, and truffled squab served with silver ewers of walnut ketchup. Lauren Collins, The New Yorker, 14 Apr. 2017 Word History
Etymology
Noun (1)
Chinese Pidgin English chowchow food
Noun (2)
perhaps from chow-chow Chinese person, from Chinese Pidgin English chowchow food
First Known Use
Noun (1)
1850, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Noun (2)
1886, in the meaning defined above