noun
or ca·va ˈkävə ; also ka·va·ka·va | ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷| ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷
( -s )
Etymology: Tongan & Marquesan kava, literally, bitter
1.
a. : an Australasian shrubby pepper ( Piper methysticum ) from whose crushed root an intoxicating beverage is made
b. : the beverage made from kava
2. : the dried rhizome and roots of the kava shrub formerly used as a diuretic and genitourinary antiseptic