What does casava mean?
Casava is a variant spelling of cassava, the common name for Manihot esculenta, a woody shrub native to South America that is now grown throughout the tropics for its large, starchy tuberous roots. The word can refer either to the plant itself or to the root, which serves as one of the most important calorie sources in Africa, Latin America, and parts of Asia. The root must be properly prepared — peeled, soaked, grated, fermented, or cooked — before eating, since raw varieties contain compounds that release toxic cyanide. Processed forms include casava flour, widely used as a gluten-free ingredient, and tapioca pearls derived from extracted starch. In cooking across Nigeria, Brazil, Thailand, and elsewhere, casava appears in staples such as garri, farofa, and flatbreads. Although 'casava' appears in older texts and regional usage, 'cassava' is the standard spelling in modern English dictionaries.
nounA variant spelling of 'cassava', a tropical plant of the spurge family (Manihot esculenta) cultivated for its starchy edible roots, or the roots themselves, a major source of carbohydrates in tropical regions.
- The starchy tuberous root of the cassava plant, eaten as food or processed into tapioca and flour.
- The shrubby tropical plant (Manihot esculenta) itself, of the spurge family, native to South America.
"The farmers harvested the casava before the rainy season began, drying the roots to make flour."
"Casava flour has become a popular gluten-free alternative in modern baking."
"Across West Africa, grated casava is fermented into garri, a staple side dish."
As a countable noun referring to individual plants or roots, the plural adds -s. When referring to the substance or crop generally, it is usually uncountable.
"The market stalls were piled high with fresh casavas."
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of casava
The standard form 'cassava' entered English in the mid-16th century from Spanish and Portuguese 'caçabi'/'cassave', borrowed from Taíno 'kasabi', the Caribbean indigenous name for the bread made from the plant's root. The variant spelling 'casava' arose by simplification of the double letter and appears occasionally in older and informal writing. The Taíno source also underlies related borrowings in other European languages, such as French 'cassave'.
How casava is actually used
'Casava' is a nonstandard variant spelling; dictionaries and scientific usage prefer 'cassava'. The word refers both to the plant and to its edible root, with context determining which sense applies.
Easily confused with casava
'Casava' is simply a variant spelling of 'cassava'; the standard spelling is cassava.
Yucca is a genus of ornamental desert plants in the agave family, often confused with yuca/cassava, which is an unrelated tropical root crop.