tapioca Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun granular preparation of cassava starch used to thicken especially puddings

WordNet

Tap`i*o"ca noun
Etymology
Braz. tapioka: cf. Pg., Sp. & F. tapioca.
Definitions
  1. A coarsely granular substance obtained by heating, and thus partly changing, the moistened starch obtained from the roots of the cassava. It is much used in puddings and as a thickening for soups. See Cassava.

Webster 1913