nopal

 
Pronunciation: /ˈnəʊp(ə)l, ˈnəʊpal/

noun

  • a cactus which is a major food plant of the bugs from which cochineal is obtained.
    • Genus Nopalea, family Cactaceae: several species, in particular N. cochinellifera
  • (nopales /nəʊˈpɑːlɛz/) the edible fleshy pads of the nopal cactus, used in Mexican cuisine.

Origin:

mid 18th century: via French and Spanish from Nahuatl nopalli 'cactus'