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cassava
(kə sä′və)
noun
- any of several tropical American plants, shrubs, and trees (genus Manihot, esp. M. esculenta) of the spurge family, having edible, starchy roots
- 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.
- A shrubby tropical American plant (Manihot esculenta) widely grown for its large, tuberous, starchy roots.
- 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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