Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Cowpea \Cow"pea`\, n. (Bot.)
   A leguminous plant ({Vigna Sinensis}, syn. {V. Catjang})
   found throughout the tropics of the Old World. It is
   extensively cultivated in the Southern United States for
   fodder, and the seed is used as food for man.

Cowpea \Cow"pea`\ (-p[=e]`), n.
   The seed of one or more leguminous plants of the genus
   {Dolichos}; also, the plant itself. Many varieties are
   cultivated in the southern part of the United States.

Source : WordNet®

cowpea
     n 1: fruit or seed of the cowpea plant [syn: {black-eyed pea}]
     2: sprawling Old World annual cultivated especially in southern
        United States for food and forage and green manure [syn: {cowpea
        plant}, {black-eyed pea}, {Vigna unguiculata}, {Vigna
        sinensis}]
     3: eaten fresh as shell beans or dried [syn: {black-eyed pea}]