Sago
/ˈseɪɡəʊ/noun
A starchy substance extracted from the pith of certain tropical palms and used as food.
Did you know?Sago is traditionally extracted by felling the palm, splitting its trunk, and washing the starch from the soft inner pith.
Etymological Timeline
Before the 17th Century
Malay
sagu
“Starch obtained from the pith of certain palms”
Before the 17th Century
Javanese
sagu
“Sago or palm starch”
16th–17th Century
Portuguese
sagu
“Sago, encountered through trade in Southeast Asia”
17th Century
Dutch
sago
“Palm starch imported from the East Indies”
17th Century
English
sago
“A food starch made from tropical palm pith”
Modern English
English
sago
“Starch used in puddings, noodles, and other foods”