tüˈküm noun
also tu·cu·ma -mə
( -s )
Etymology: Portuguese tucumā, from Tupi tucumá
1. also tucum palm
a. : any of several chiefly Brazilian palms of the genus Astrocaryum (especially A. tucuma ) with leaf bases that yield a coarse fiber used especially for cordage and hats and with seeds that yield an edible oil
b. : a low spiny Brazilian palm ( Bactris setosa ) with leaves that yield a long strong fiber held to resemble wool and used locally for bags or other containers, fishing nets, and shoemakers' twines
2. : the fiber of a tucum