Wordnet 3.0
NOUN (2)
1.
any of various small cucumbers pickled whole;
2.
small prickly cucumber;
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Gherkin \Gher"kin\ (g[~e]r"k[i^]n), n. [D. agurkje, a dim. akin
to G. gurke, Dan. agurke; cf. Pol. og['o]rek, Bohem. okurka,
LGr. 'aggoy`rion watermelon, Ar. al-khiy[=a]r, Per.
khiy[=a]r.]
[1913 Webster]
1. (Bot.) A kind of small, prickly cucumber, much used for
pickles.
[1913 Webster]
2. (Zool.) See Sea gherkin.
[1913 Webster]
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
gherkin
n 1: any of various small cucumbers pickled whole
2: small prickly cucumber