nigiri

noun

ni·​giri ni-ˈgir-ē 

plural nigiri

: a Japanese dish consisting of sliced usually raw seafood on top of a shaped handful of vinegar-dressed rice

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Japanese, short for nigirizushi, from nigiri, noun correspondent of nigiru "to grasp, form with the hands" + -zushi sushi

First Known Use

1961, in the meaning defined above