n. 木薯

[医] 木薯

Cassava \Cas"sa*va\ (k[a^]s"s[.a]*v[.a]), n. [F. cassave, Sp.
cazabe, fr. kasabi, in the language of Haiti.]
1. (Bot.) A shrubby euphorbiaceous plant of the genus
{Manihot}, with fleshy rootstocks yielding an edible
starch; -- called also {manioc}.

Note: There are two species, bitter and sweet, from which the
cassava of commerce is prepared in the West Indies,
tropical America, and Africa. The bitter ({Manihot
utilissima}) is the more important; this has a
poisonous sap, but by grating, pressing, and baking the
root the poisonous qualities are removed. The sweet
({Manihot Aipi}) is used as a table vegetable.

2. A nutritious starch obtained from the rootstocks of the
cassava plant, used as food and in making tapioca.