piassava

noun

pi·​as·​sa·​va ˌpē-ə-ˈsä-və 

1

: any of several stiff coarse fibers obtained from palms and used especially in cordage or brushes

2

: a palm yielding piassava

especially : either of two Brazilian palms (Attalea funifera and Leopoldinia piassaba)

Word History

Etymology

Portuguese piassaba, from Tupi pɨasáβa

First Known Use

1835, in the meaning defined at sense 1