Escargots

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A culinary dish comprised of cooked land snails typically seasoned with garlic butter and herbs
2. A delicacy in French cuisine known for its tender texture and rich flavors when prepared with various seasonings
3. A traditional gourmet offering often served as an appetizer, featuring snails served in their shells filled with a flavored mixture

Etymology: "Escargots" is simply the plural of "escargot", which English borrowed directly from French. The French word goes back to Provençal "escargol", the regional form that gave the snail its name in the south of France, and it is the same word that appears in the dish's name on menus across the English-speaking world. The plural form matters here because English speakers often treat "escargots" as a single dish name, yet the plural reflects the way the food is served: several snails arranged in their shells, each stuffed with the garlic-and-herb butter that has made the dish famous. Ordering "escargots" therefore means ordering a plate of multiple snails, and the French plural is kept to match that reality.

Synonyms: snails