lo·quat \ˈlōˌkwät, ̷ ̷ˈ ̷ ̷\noun (-s) Etymology: Chinese (Cant) lō-kwat 1.: an Asiatic evergreen tree (Eriobotrya japonica) now cultivated in most tropical or subtropical regions for its fruit — called also Japanese medlar, Japanese plum, nispero 2.: the fruit of the loquat used for preserves, jams, and jellies