breadroot

[bred-root, -root]

noun

1. the edible starchy root of Psoralea esculenta, a leguminous plant of central North America.

breadroot

/ ˈbrɛdˌruːt /

noun

1. Also called: prairie turnip. a leguminous plant, Psoralea esculenta , of central North America, having an edible starchy root

Word History and Origins

Origin of breadroot¹

An Americanism dating back to 1820–30; bread + root ¹

Example Sentences

The name likely comes from a variation on the word “tukanin,” which refers to the Indian breadroot plant in titoqatímt, a dialect of Nez Perce.

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