gourd a name applied loosely to some or all cucurbit plants, especially in Asia and Africa. In N. America the term is applied particularly to varieties with hard-shelled fruits which are grown for ornament or to provide utensils. British use of the word is less exclusive, matching the French courge and the German Kürbis, which can refer to all cucurbits. Edible species belong to a number of different genera and are used in a variety of ways. See bitter gourd; bottle gourd; ivy gourd; ridged gourd (also called luffa); snake gourds; wax gourd (also called winter melon).
