Tamal
/təˈmɑːl/noun
A portion of seasoned masa, often filled, wrapped in a leaf or husk, and steamed.
Did you know?In pre-Columbian Mesoamerica, tamales were used not only as food but also in feasts, festivals, and offerings to the gods.
Etymological Timeline
Pre-Columbian period
Nahuatl
tamalli
“A wrapped or enclosed food prepared from maize dough”
16th Century
Classical Nahuatl
tamalli
“A steamed masa preparation, commonly wrapped in a corn husk or leaf”
16th Century
Spanish
tamal
“A Mesoamerican wrapped maize dish adopted into Spanish usage”
19th Century
English
tamal
“A regional English borrowing for the wrapped maize dish”
Modern English
English
tamal
“A singular form of tamale, especially common in Mexican and U.S. Spanish-influenced usage”