Melons are defined as typically sweet gourds usually eaten raw as fruits. First used in the 14th century, the word melon derives from the Latin word melopepo. The word melopepo derives the ancient Greek word μηλοπέπων (mēlopepōn), which can be broken down into μῆλον (mēlo) and πέπων (pepōn) or gourd and apple, respectively. Pepōn also translates from the Greek verb as “to cook” since a melon is known to be cooked, or ripened, by the sun.
Editing by Christina 