cassavaPronunciation: /kəˈsɑːvə/Definition of cassava noun 1 [mass noun] the starchy tuberous root of a tropical tree, used as food in tropical countries. starch or flour obtained from cassava. Also called manioc. 2the shrubby tree from which cassava is obtained, native to tropical America and cultivated throughout the tropics. Genus Manihot, family Euphorbiaceae: several species Origin: mid 16th century: from Taino casávi, cazábbi, influenced by French cassavecassava in other Oxford dictionaries Definition of cassava in the US English dictionary