Emily Dickinson Lexicon

PIQ-UANT, a. [pik'ant; Fr. from piquer, to prick or sting, It. piccare, Sp. and Port. picar, from the root of pike, peak.]

1. Pricking; stimulating to the tongue; as, rock as piquant to the tongue as salt. – Addison.
2. Sharp; tart; pungent; severe; as, piquant railleries. – Gov. of the Tongue.