pickaninny

noun

pick·​a·​nin·​ny ˈpi-kə-ˌni-nē 

ˌpi-kə-ˈni-

variants or less commonly picaninny

plural pickaninnies also picaninnies

dated, offensive

—used as a term for a Black child

Word History

Etymology

probably ultimately from Portuguese pequenino, diminutive of pequeno small

First Known Use

1653, in the meaning defined above