chincherinchee

American  

[chin-chuh-rin-chee, -rin-chee, ching-kuh-] / ˌtʃɪn tʃə rɪnˈtʃi, -ˈrɪn tʃi, ˌtʃɪŋ kə- /

noun

1. a bulbous plant, Ornithogalum thyrsoides, of the lily family, native to southern Africa, having dense clusters of cream-colored or white flowers.

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chincherinchee British  

/ ˌtʃɪntʃərɪnˈtʃiː, -ˈrɪntʃɪ /

noun

1. a bulbous South African liliaceous plant, Ornithogalum thyrsoides, having long spikes of white or yellow long-lasting flowers

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Etymology

Origin of chincherinchee

1925–30; < Afrikaans tjienkerientjee, perhaps tjienker- (< ?) + uintjie name for various edible bulbs (compare uietjie, diminutive of ui onion); often alleged to be imitative representation of the sound produced when the stalks are rubbed together