A term which means "high one." Massasoit (1585-1660) was a highly respected sachem of Pokanoket. One of his names was "Ousamequin," which translates to "yellow feather." Massasoit negotiated the first treaty with the Pilgrims. He signed the treaty to restore the balance of power between his people and the Narragansett after the effects of the plague on the Wampanoag.
Massasoit is one of the collection of grape varieties known as Rogers' Hybrids, created by E.S. Rogers in the mid 1800s, and is the result of a cross of Carter, a selection of Vitis labrusca, and Black Hamburg (there are two varieties known by this name, but in this case it was probably Schiava Grossa), a selection of Vitis vinifera. It was originally known as Rogers No. 3, but 1869 Rogers named it after a prominent Native American chief from early Massachusetts history, Ousamequin, who used the title Massasoit.