Sagu
/ˈsɑːɡuː/noun
A variant form of sago, the edible starch extracted from certain tropical palms.
Did you know?Sagu is an English variant of sago, whose source word comes from Malay and Javanese usage for palm starch rather than from a European magical tradition.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Malayo-Polynesian period
Austronesian
*sagu
“A term associated with the sago palm or its edible starch; the reconstruction is commonly proposed but not certain.”
Before the 16th Century
Malay
sagu
“Starch or flour obtained from the trunk of the sago palm.”
Before the 16th Century
Javanese
sagu
“Palm starch or sago flour.”
16th Century
Portuguese
sagu
“Sago or palm starch, encountered through Southeast Asian trade.”
16th Century
English
sagu
“A recorded borrowing and variant of sago.”
Modern English
English
sagu
“A rare variant spelling of sago, usually referring to edible palm starch.”