ETYM Old Eng. peper, as. pipor, Latin piper.
Climbing plant Piper nigrum native to the E Indies, of the Old World pepper family Piperaceae. When gathered green, the berries are crushed to release the seeds for the spice called black pepper. When the berries are ripe, the seeds are removed and their outer skin is discarded, to produce white pepper. Chili pepper, cayenne or red pepper, and the sweet peppers used as a vegetable come from capsicums native to the New World.
1. Climber having dark red berries (peppercorns) when fully ripe; southern India and Sri Lanka; naturalized in North Burma and Assam; SYN. common pepper, black pepper, white pepper, Madagascar pepper, Piper nigrum.
2. Pungent seasoning from the berry of the common pepper plant of East India; use whole or ground; SYN. peppercorn.
3. Sweet and hot varieties of fruits of plants of the genus Capsicum.

A baseball practice or warm-up game in which usually several fielders toss the ball a short distance to a single batter who hits it back

1. To add pepper to.
2. To attack with missiles or questions; SYN. pelt.