rambutan

 
Pronunciation: /ramˈb(j)uːt(ə)n/

noun

  • 1a red, plum-sized tropical fruit with soft spines and a slightly acidic taste.
  • 2the Malaysian tree that bears the rambutan.
    • Nephelium lappaceum, family Sapindaceae

Origin:

early 18th century: from Malay rambūtan, from rambut 'hair', with allusion to the fruit's spines