DCHP-2

mechoui [mei'ʃwi:] meshwi, mischwi, mishoui, < Arabic mashwi 'grilled foods' DCHP-2 (October 2016)

• 1 n. — Quebec, Social customs, plural mechouis

  a large party, often outdoors, where lamb or other meat is roasted on a spit; a barbecue.

  Type: 4. Culturally Significant — Mechoui is a lexical transfer from Quebec French and originally came to French through Arabic. According to Barber (2007: 155), the term is a transfer from the Arabic mashwi, which means "grilled foods". The term is by far most prevalent in Quebec (see Chart 1), which reflects the large Arabic-speaking community in that province. According to the 2011 census, Quebec has the largest percentage of Canadians of Arab origin of any province, with Montreal having the largest Arab community in Canada (see Statistics Canada reference).
  Mechouis have become popular in Quebec, where they are often part of festivals and cultural celebrations.
  See also COD-2, s.v. "mechoui", which is marked "Cdn (Que.)".

  See also: bush party  

• 2 n. — Food

  a whole animal, usually a lamb, roasted on a spit.

  Type: 4. Culturally Significant — Although not as strongly associated with Quebec cuisine as poutine or Montreal smoked meat, mechoui has become popular in Quebec, and roasting mechouis is often part of festivities and celebrations.
  See also COD-2, s.v. "mechoui" (1), which is marked "Cdn (Que.)".

  See also: poutine (meaning 1)  Montreal smoked meat