meerschaum

 
Pronunciation: /ˈmɪəʃɔːm, -ʃəm/

noun

[mass noun]
  • a soft white clay-like material consisting of hydrated magnesium silicate, found chiefly in Turkey.
  • (also meerschaum pipe) [count noun] a tobacco pipe with a bowl made from meerschaum.

Origin:

late 18th century: from German, literally 'sea foam', from Meer 'sea' + Schaum 'foam', translation of Persian kef-i-daryā (alluding to the frothy appearance of the silicate)