pfeffernuss
/ˈ(p)fɛfənʊs/(also pfeffernuß) Chiefly US
noun
A small, round, sweet biscuit flavoured with spices such as ginger, cardamom, cloves, black pepper, etc., and typically eaten during the Christmas season. Usually in plural.
Origin
Late 19th century; earliest use found in The Los Angeles Times. From German Pfeffernuss gingerbread biscuit. Compare Dutch pepernoot, German regional (Low German) Pepernööt (plural), Danish pebernød.