truffle

[truhf-uh l, troo-fuh l] /ˈtrʌf əl, ˈtru fəl/
noun
1.
any of several subterranean, edible, ascomycetous fungi of the genus Tuber.
2.
any of various similar fungi of other genera.
3.
a candy made of soft chocolate, shaped into a ball and dusted with cocoa, or sometimes a three-layered cube of light and dark chocolate.
Origin
1585-95; < Dutch truffel(e) < Middle French truffle, truffe < Old Provençal trufa < Late Latin tūfera, *tūfer, probably < an Osco-Umbrian cognate of Latin tūber tuber1
Related forms
truffled, adjective
Examples from the web for truffle
  • Add some truffle honey, fig cake, and good crackers.
  • The truffle-y sensation, the inability for anyone to describe it, the way it brings flavors in a dish together.
  • Travel with an actual truffle hunter and his dog and witness the ways in which they uncover this rare mushroom.
  • For dessert, you can choose to have strawberry shortcake, chocolate truffle mousse or fresh fruit soda.
  • Nibble on sweet pea risotto, polenta with truffle oil and sweet potato cakes with spicy harissa mayonnaise.
  • Menu options include lobster sliders, imported cheese boards and truffle mac and cheese.
  • White truffle paste and a poached egg top the potato tart.
  • Mains feature a wild fish of the day, seafood gumbo, rib eye steaks and kangaroo fillets served with truffle oil mash.
  • The tapas menu includes such dishes as truffle potato chips, ceviche and tuna tartare.
  • Roll each truffle between the palms of the hands to make it completely round.
British Dictionary definitions for truffle

truffle

/ˈtrʌfəl/
noun
1.
Also called earthnut. any of various edible saprotrophic ascomycetous subterranean fungi of the European genus Tuber. They have a tuberous appearance and are regarded as a delicacy
2.
(mainly Brit) Also called rum truffle. a sweet resembling this fungus in shape, flavoured with chocolate or rum
Word Origin
C16: from French truffe, from Old Provençal trufa, ultimately from Latin tūber
Word Origin and History for truffle
n.

"edible fungus," 1590s, from Middle French trufle (late 14c.), from Old French truffe, probably from Old Provençal trufa, metathesized from Late Latin tufera (plural), cognate of Latin tuber "edible root." Another theory notes Italian tartuffo (Milanese tartuffel) "potato," supposedly from terræ tuber. Extended 1926 to powdered, round chocolates that look like truffles.