cassava

(kə sä)

noun

  1. any of several tropical American plants, shrubs, and trees (genus Manihot, esp. M. esculenta) of the spurge family, having edible, starchy roots
  2. this root or a starch extracted from it, used in making bread and tapioca

Origin: Fr cassave < Sp cazabe < Taino casávi, cazábbi

See cassava in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun In both senses also called manioc, yuca.
  1. A shrubby tropical American plant (Manihot esculenta) widely grown for its large, tuberous, starchy roots.
  2. The root of this plant, eaten as a staple food in the tropics only after leaching and drying to remove cyanide. Cassava starch is also the source of tapioca.

Origin:

Origin: Ultimately from Taino casavi, flour from manioc

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