gargantuan [L16th] Gargantua is the name of a large-mouthed giant with a huge and insatiable appetite from the book of the same name, published in 1534, by the French satirical writer Rabelais. In one episode Gargantua accidentally swallows six pilgrims while eating a salad. Gargantuan, meaning ‘enormous or gigantic’, comes from the name of Rabelais’ colossal guzzler.