a tropical American agave (Agave fourcroydes) cultivated for the hard fiber of the leaves
the fiber, similar to sisal, used for making rope, twine, rugs, etc.
Origin:
Sp henequén, jeniquén < native (Taino) name in Yucatán
See henequen in American Heritage Dictionary 4
also hen·e·quin
noun
A tropical American plant (Agave fourcroydes) having large, thick, sword-shaped leaves that yield a coarse reddish fiber used in making rope and twine.