babassu

[ bah-buh-soo ]

noun

1. a palm, Orbignya barbosiana, of northeastern Brazil, bearing nuts that yield babassu oil.

babassu

/ ˌbɑːbəˈsuː /

noun

1. a Brazilian palm tree, Orbignya martiana (or O. speciosa ), having hard edible nuts that yield an oil used in making soap, margarine, etc

Word History and Origins

Origin of babassu¹

1920–25; < Portuguese babaçú < Tupi, equivalent to ybá fruit + guasu large

Word History and Origins

Origin of babassu¹

from Portuguese babaçú , from a native Amerindian word