Definition of manioc

The word "manioc" originates from the Tupi language, which was spoken by indigenous peoples in Brazil and other parts of South America. In Tupi, the word is "manihot," which refers to the cassava plant (Manihot esculenta). Portuguese colonizers arrived in Brazil in the 16th century and adopted the word, changing it to "manioc." During the 17th and 18th centuries, Portuguese explorers and missionaries wrote about "manioc" in their accounts, documenting its widespread cultivation and consumption in South America. As European colonization expanded, the word "manioc" was introduced to other languages, including English, French, and Spanish. Today, "manioc" is the preferred term in many languages, although "cassava" has also become widely accepted. Despite the changes, the word retains its connection to its Tupi origins, reflecting the importance of this staple crop in the cultural and culinary traditions of the Americas.