piassava

noun pi·as·sa·va \ˌpē-ə-ˈsä-və\

Definition of PIASSAVA

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

: a palm yielding piassava; especially : either of two Brazilian palms (Attalea funifera and Leopoldinia piassaba)

Portuguese piassaba, from Tupi p i̵asáβa

First Known Use: 1835

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