noun / verb

shuck

SHUK/ʃˈʌk/

To remove an outer husk or covering.

You shuck the corn, peeling back green husks to reveal yellow kernels.

Hands peel green husks from a ripe ear of corn, yellow kernels revealed.

Etymology

The verb is from or related to the noun shuck, meaning a husk, pod, or shell. That noun’s origin is unknown; the verb describes removing this outer covering.

In context

Homegrown Handgathered3:45

while we shuck them we're going to hang most of this corn to dry

Harvesting Heirloom Corn & Making Tortillas (Wood-ash Nixtamalization)

More examples

We shucked a dozen oysters before dinner.
Put the corn shucks in the compost bin.
He shucks off his muddy boots at the door.

Forms

shuck · shucks · shucked · shucking

shucker noun — A person who removes husks or shells.

Similar words

husk: Husk specifically means removing an outer plant covering.
shell: Shell focuses on removing shells from nuts, seeds, or shellfish.
peel: Peel usually means removing skin or rind in strips.