Puckery

Puckery is an adjective that describes something that causes puckering or has a puckered appearance or effect. It derives from the verb pucker, meaning to purse or wrinkle, and is used in a variety of contexts to denote a tactile, visual, or gustatory effect that produces tension or tightness in a surrounding surface or the mouth.

In food and drink, puckery describes flavors or sensations that provoke pursing of the lips or a strong sour or tart taste, often due to acidity, tannins, or certain compounds like citric acid. Common examples include citrus fruits, sour candies, and beverages with high acidity. Puckery flavor is typically contrasted with sweeter or milder tastes.

In textiles and materials, puckery refers to a surface texture or finish displaying small folds, wrinkles, or ridges caused by shrinkage, tension, or uneven drying. It can arise during sewing, washing, or finishing, and may be considered a defect in apparel or upholstery, though in crafts such as smocking a controlled puckered effect can be intentional.

Other uses can describe geological or biological contexts where surfaces appear wrinkled or folded, though this sense is less common and more specialized. Overall, puckery is primarily a informal, descriptive term rather than a formal technical one.

Etymologywise, puckery comes from pucker plus the -y suffix, and it is most often used in informal writing, reviews, and consumer descriptions rather than strict scientific terminology.