Early 17th century; earliest use found in Randle Cotgrave (fl. 1587–?1630), lexicographer. From Spanish melocotón peach from Italian melocotogno quince or its etymon post-classical Latin melum cotoneum quince, variant (after post-classical Latin melum) of classical Latin mālum cotōneum, probably variant of mālum Cydōnium from mālum apple + Cydōneum, neuter of Cydōneus (from Cydōnea (ancient Greek Κυδωνία), the name of a town (modern Khania) in Crete + -eus: see -eous), after ancient Greek Κυδώνιον μῆλον: see further discussion below. Compare coyn, quince.