Word Study
tapioca
CIDE DICTIONARY
tapioca, n. [Braz. tapioka: cf. Pg., Sp. & F. tapioca.].
A coarsely granular substance obtained by heating, and thus partly changing, the moistened starch obtained from the roots of the cassava. It is much used in puddings and as a thickening for soups. See Cassava. [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
tapioca, n. a starchy substance in hard white grains obtained from cassava and used for puddings etc.
Etymology
Tupi-Guarani tipioca f. tipi dregs + og, ok squeeze out
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