quahog

from WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)

quahog
    n 1: Atlantic coast round clams with hard shells; large clams
         usually used for chowders or other clam dishes [syn:
         {quahaug}, {quahog}, {hard-shell clam}, {round clam}]
    2: an edible American clam; the heavy shells were used as money
       by some American Indians [syn: {quahog}, {quahaug}, {hard-
       shell clam}, {hard clam}, {round clam}, {Venus mercenaria},
       {Mercenaria mercenaria}]

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

Quahog \Qua"hog\, Quahaug \Qua"haug\, n. [Abbrev. fr.
   Narragansett Indian poqua[^u]hock.] (Zool.)
   An American market clam ({Venus mercenaria}). It is sold in
   large quantities, and is highly valued as food. Called also
   {round clam}, and {hard clam}.
   [1913 Webster]

   Note: The name is also applied to other allied species, as
         {Venus Mortoni} of the Gulf of Mexico.
         [1913 Webster] Quaigh

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