Definition of pepper

The origin of the word "pepper" dates back to ancient times. The term "pepper" comes from the Latin word "piper", which is derived from the Sanskrit word "pippali". This Sanskrit word referred to the Piper nigrum plant, which is the species from which black pepper is obtained. The Latin word "piper" was then adopted into Middle English as "peper", and from there it evolved into the modern English word "pepper". Throughout history, pepper has been a highly valued and widely traded spice, used to add flavor and preservation to a variety of dishes. Today, the term "pepper" encompasses not only black pepper but also other variants, such as white pepper and green pepper.