Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Cowhage \Cow"hage\ (kou"h?j), n. [Cf. Hind. kaw[amc]nch,
   ko[=a]nch.] (Bot.)
   A leguminous climbing plant of the genus {Mucuna}, having
   crooked pods covered with sharp hairs, which stick to the
   fingers, causing intolerable itching. The spicul[ae] are
   sometimes used in medicine as a mechanical vermifuge.
   [Written also {couhage}, {cowage}, and {cowitch}.]