/yam/ , n.
1. the starchy, tuberous root of any of various climbing vines of the genus Dioscorea, cultivated for food in warm regions.
2. any of these plants.
3. the sweet potato.
4. Scot. potato (def. 1).
[ 1580-90; cf. Gullah n y am, Jamaican E nyaams, Sranan jamsi n y am( n y am), Fulani n y ami to eat, Twi enãm flesh, ànyinam, ayam'kàw-dé kinds of yam; earlier E forms
inhame or Sp ( i ) ñame ]