papaya

 
Pronunciation: /pəˈpʌɪə/

noun

  • 1a tropical fruit shaped like an elongated melon, with edible orange flesh and small black seeds. Also called papaw or pawpaw.
  • 2 (also papaya tree) the fast-growing tree which bears the papaya, native to warm regions of America. It is widely cultivated for its fruit, both for eating and for papain production.
    • Carica papaya, family Caricaceae

Origin:

late 16th century: from Spanish and Portuguese (see pawpaw)