yam

[yam] /yæm/

noun

the starchy, tuberous root of any of various climbing vines of the genus Dioscorea, cultivated for food in warm regions.

any of these plants.

the sweet potato.

Scot. potato (def 1).

Origin

1580-90; compare Gullah n^yam, Jamaican English nyaams, Sranan jamsi < sources in one or more West African languages (compare Wolof n^yam(n^yam), Fulani n^yami to eat, Twi εnãm flesh, ànyinam, ayam’kàw-dé kinds of yam; earlier E forms < Portuguese inhame or Spanish (i)ñame

Can be confused

cassava, sweet potato, yam.

Examples from the web for yam

yam and sweet potato cubes served in coconut milk and sago, served hot or cold.

British Dictionary definitions for yam

yam

/jæm/

noun

any of various twining plants of the genus Dioscorea, of tropical and subtropical regions, cultivated for their edible tubers: family Dioscoreaceae

the starchy tuber of any of these plants, which is eaten as a vegetable

(Southern US) any of certain large varieties of sweet potato

a former Scot name for the (common) potato

Word Origin

C17: from Portuguese inhame, ultimately of West African origin; compare Senegal nyami to eat

Word Origin and History for yam

1580s, from Portuguese inhame or Spanish igname, from a West African language (cf. Fulani nyami "to eat;" Twi anyinam "species of yam"); the word in American and Jamaican English probably is directly from West African sources.