pitaya

[ pi-tahy-uh ]

noun

1. any of several cacti of the genus Stenocereus, of the southwestern United States, Mexico, and Central America, bearing edible round or oval fruit usually having bumpy skin and juicy pulp filled with seeds.
2. the edible fruit of any of several cacti of the genus Stenocereus.

Word History and Origins

Origin of pitaya¹

First recorded in 1845–50; variant of pitahaya ( def )