yam
/jæm/noun
1
- the edible starchy tuber of a climbing plant, widely distributed in tropical and subtropical countries薯蓣, 山药。
2
- the plant which yields this tuber薯蓣, 山药（指植物）。
2.1
- Genus Dioscorea, family Dioscoreaceae: many species.薯蓣属, 薯蓣科：多种。
3
- N. Amer. a sweet potato〈北美〉番薯, 山芋。
词源
late 16th cent.: from Portuguese inhame or obsolete Spanish iñame, probably of West African origin.