kava

 
Pronunciation: /ˈkɑːvə/

noun

  • 1 [mass noun] a narcotic sedative drink made in Polynesia from the crushed roots of a plant of the pepper family.
  • 2the Polynesian shrub from which kava is obtained.
    • Piper methysticum, family Piperaceae

Origin:

late 18th century: from Tongan