bêche–de–mer

noun \ˌbesh-də-ˈmer, ˌbāsh-\

Definition of BÊCHE-DE-MER

plural bêche–de–mer or bêches–de–mer \ˌbesh-də-, ˌbe-shəz-, ˌbāsh-\ : trepang

capitalized B&M : any of several English-based pidgins spoken on islands of the western Pacific

French, alteration of biche de mer, from Portuguese bicho do mar, literally, sea worm

First Known Use: 1783

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