n. 1 a any plant of the genus Manihot, esp. the cultivated varieties M. esculenta (bitter cassava) and M. dulcis (sweet cassava), having starchy tuberous roots. b the roots themselves. 2 a starch or flour obtained from these roots. Also called TAPIOCA, MANIOC.
[ earlier cas(s)avi etc., f. Taino casavi, infl. by F cassave ]