Aguacate
/ˌɑːɡwəˈkɑːteɪ/noun
A Spanish and English name for the avocado fruit, especially in Mexican usage.
Did you know?Nahuatl āhuacatl meant “avocado,” while a related form also meant “testicle,” likely because the fruit’s shape and hanging growth inspired the association; scholars caution that the exact relationship is debated.
Etymological Timeline
Pre-Columbian era
Nahuatl
āhuacatl
“Avocado fruit; a related form was also used for “testicle.””
16th Century
Classical Nahuatl
ahuacatl
“The avocado, recorded by Spanish chroniclers in descriptions of Mesoamerican foods.”
16th Century
Spanish
aguacate
“Spanish borrowing of Nahuatl ahuacatl, referring to the avocado.”
17th Century
Spanish
aguacate
“Established Spanish word for the avocado fruit.”
Modern English
English
aguacate
“A loanword used mainly in references to Spanish or Mexican usage; the common English form is avocado.”
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