an American lotus, Nelumbo lutea, having pale-yellow flowers and an edible seed.
2.
the seed itself, similar in flavor to the chinquapin.
Origin
1830-40, Americanism
British Dictionary definitions for water chinquapin
water chinquapin
noun
1.
a North American aquatic plant, Nelumbo lutea, having large umbrella-shaped leaves, pale yellow flowers, and edible nutlike seeds: family NelumbonaceaeCompare chinquapin