/ ˈpɑːmɪzæn; ˌpɑːmɪˈzæn; NAmE ˈpɑːrməzɑːn; -zæn/ (also ˌParmesan ˈcheese ) noun
[ U ] a type of very hard Italian cheese that is usually grated and eaten on Italian food
••
WORD ORIGIN
early 16th cent.: from French , from Italian parmigiano of Parma , where it was originally made.