The Indian equivalent of "crooked stream."

From Increase Lapham's 1844 Geographical and Topographical Description of Wisconsin:

"The PEKATONICA, is the principal stream, rising a few miles west of Mineral Point, and running in a southeasterly direction through the southeast corner of Green county, passes into Illinois, where it makes a long bend to the south, and enters Rock river five and a half miles below the State line. It is a sluggish stream, remarkable for the great number of short bends or crooks, running through a beautiful and romantic valley, bordered by high bluffs. The water is usually turbid, hence its name, which signifies "the muddy stream." It is navigable for small boats from its mouth to the "Forks," at the village of Wiota. The principal branch, or tributary of the Pekatonica, is called the East Branch, and rises along the ridge between Dodgeville and the Blue Mounds. It runs south, through the eastern part of the county. The other tributaries are Spafford's creek, Wolf creek, Big and Little Otter creeks, and Bonner's creek. It was on the Pekatonica that one of the first battles was fought with the Indians during the Black Hawk war, June 17, 1832."

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Pecatonica River, Wisconsin

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[Source: p. 91 of Phalen's Sinnissippi]