DCHP-1 Online
saskatoon Many spellings in 19th century: saskatome, saskatoom, saskatum, saskooturn, suskatum, etc. [< Cree misāskwatomin fruit of the tree of many branches] 
1 n. the edible, purplish berry of the saskatoon bush.
See also: misaskatomina (def. 1) saskatoon berry (def. 1) saskatoon bush
- 1800 (1820) [Different kinds of berries are now ripe, such as strawberries, raspberries, and what the Canadians call paires, which the Natives denominate Mi-sas-qui-to-min-uck.]
- 1820 (1823) [Under the name of meesasscootoomeena it is a favourite dish at most of the Indian feasts, and mixed with pemmican, it renders that greasy food actually palatable.]
- 1821 (1900) Walked about two miles through a Wood, [saw] Strawberries, Raspberries . . . Sasquetuin. . . .
- 1955 Jake went right on with his Saskatoon pie, eating it real careful with his knife and fork.
- 1961 Sunday morning for breakfast we had . . . saskatoons, raspberries, and cranberries.
2 n. a species of serviceberry (def. 1), Amelanchier alnifolia, common in the West and prized for its succulent berries.
See also: misaskatomina (def. 2) saskatoon bush serviceberry (def. 1)
- 1810 (1950) Vegetation is much advanced[;] the Sarskutum &c are in blossom. . . .
- 1883 There is also ash leaved maple, cherry, saskatoon, plum and hazel, of a small size.
- 1956 The serviceberries, also known as juneberries, shad-bushes, and, in the West, the Saskatoons, are deciduous species with simple alternate leaves and slender unarmed twigs.
3 n. the wood of the saskatoon bush.
See also: saskatoon bush
- 1890 The arrow was half the length of the bow, and was made from the saskatoon. . . .
- 1952 The saskatoon or choke-cherry-wood arrow was often driven clear through the body of the buffalo.
- 1800 (1820) [Different kinds of berries are now ripe, such as strawberries, raspberries, and what the Canadians call paires, which the Natives denominate Mi-sas-qui-to-min-uck.]