n.
Pronunciation: ˌ p ē - ə - ' sä-v ə
Function: noun
Etymology: Portuguese piassaba, from Tupi p ɨ asá β a
Date: 1835
1 : any of several stiff coarse fibers obtained from palms and used especially in cordage or brushes
2 : a palm yielding piassava especially : either of two Brazilian palms ( Attalea funifera and Leopoldinia piassaba )