Main Entry: yam

Pronunciation: \ˈyam\

Function: noun

Etymology: earlier iname, from Portuguese inhame & Spanish ñame, of African origin; akin to Fulani nyami to eat

Date: 1657

1 : the edible starchy tuberous root of various plants (genus Dioscorea of the family Dioscoreaceae) used as a staple food in tropical areas; also : a plant producing yams
2 : a moist usually orange-fleshed sweet potato