shal·lot 
(shălət, shə-lŏt)
(shălət, shə-lŏt)n.
1. A variety of onion with pointed, pear-shaped bulbs that grow in clusters.
2. The mild-flavored bulb of this plant, used in cooking.
[Shortening of French échalote, from Middle French eschalote : alteration (influenced by -ote, -otte, feminine of -ot, diminutive suff.) of Old French eschaloigne, from Vulgar Latin *escalōnia; see SCALLION.]