Aki
/ˈæk.i/noun
A variant spelling of ackee, the edible fruit of a West African tree cultivated especially in Jamaica.
Did you know?Unripe ackee contains hypoglycin A, a toxin linked to Jamaican vomiting sickness; only properly ripened fruit is traditionally eaten.
Etymological Timeline
Before 18th Century
Akan
akye
“The name of the West African fruit later known in English as ackee.”
18th Century
Jamaican English
akee
“The fruit introduced to Jamaica from West Africa.”
18th Century
English
ackee
“The cultivated Jamaican fruit, named after Captain William Bligh, who transported it to the Caribbean.”
19th Century
English
aki
“A documented variant spelling of ackee.”
Modern English
English
aki
“A less common English form referring to the ackee fruit or tree.”