Emily Dickinson Lexicon

COL-O-QUINT'I-DA, n. [Gr. κολοκυνθις; L. colocynthis.]

The colocynth or bitter apple, the fruit of a plant of the genus Cucumis, a native of Syria and of Crete. It is of the size of a large orange, containing a pulp which is violently purgative, but sometimes useful as a medicine. – Chambers.