haricot

¹ American  

[har-uh-koh] / ˈhær əˌkoʊ /

noun

1. any plant of the genus Phaseolus, especially P. vulgaris, the kidney bean.

2. the seed or unripe pod of any of these plants, eaten as a vegetable.

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haricot ² American  

[har-uh-koh] / ˈhær əˌkoʊ /

noun

1. a stew of lamb or mutton with turnips and potatoes.

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haricot British  

/ ˈhærɪkəʊ /

noun

1. a variety of French bean with light-coloured edible seeds, which can be dried and stored

2. another name for French bean

3. the seed or pod of any of these plants, eaten as a vegetable

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Etymology

Origin of haricot¹

1605–15; < French, earlier feve d'aricot., perhaps ultimately < Nahuatl ayacohtli, ayecohtli bean, but influenced by haricot stew ( haricot ² ), in which such beans can be an ingredient

Origin of haricot²

1605–15; < French; Middle French hericot ( de mouton ), probably noun derivative (perhaps influenced by écot lopped branch) of Old French harigoter to tear into scraps, perhaps derivative, with v. suffix -oter, of Old Low Franconian *hariôn to fight, make war on ( harry )

Example Sentences

His elegant “H”-line of 1954, for instance, was a nod to the humble haricot vert, or green bean.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 21, 2025

Until now, it has been impossible for farmers to grow the haricot variety used for baked beans in the UK because they are incompatible with the climate.

From BBC • Jun. 15, 2023

We ordered a Taleggio mac and cheese, bass with haricot verts, an oxtail bruschetta and garlicky shrimp.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 22, 2023

From a haricot bean puree with almonds and pumpkin-seed mole to celery with kefir cream, green apples and pecans.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 1, 2018

Yesterday we were relieved, and now our bellies are full of beef and haricot beans.

From "All Quiet on the Western Front: A Novel" by Erich Maria Remarque