We tap maple trees here on our property in Michigan and have a very small scale maple syrup processing operation. In my never ending quest for knowledge 
, I was recently reading Maple Sugar (a history, lore, and how-to of sap and syrup) by Tim Herd.
While reading the page below, I came across a word that gave this very book its connection to the Little House books.
Can you pick it out?
You'll have to click on the photo to enlarge.