n.
Pronunciation: ' yam
Function: noun
Etymology: earlier iname, from Portuguese inhame & Spanish ñame, of African origin; akin to Fulani nyami to eat
Date: 1657
1 : the edible starchy tuberous root of various plants (genus Dioscorea of the family Dioscoreaceae) used as a staple food in tropical areas also : a plant producing yams
2 : a moist-fleshed and usually orange-fleshed sweet potato