small cranberry

1647, Amer.Eng. adaptation of Low Ger. kraanbere, from kraan "crane" + M.L.G. bere "berry," perhaps from a resemblance between the plants' stamens and the beaks of cranes. Ger. and Du. settlers in the New World apparently recognized the similarity between the European berries (Vaccinium oxycoccos) and the larger N.Amer. variety (V. macrocarpum) and transferred the name. In England, they were marshwhort or fenberries, but the N.Amer. berries, and the name, were brought over late 17c.