Tamale
/təˈmɑːli/noun
A masa dough parcel, usually filled and steamed or wrapped in corn husks or leaves.
Did you know?Tamale comes through Spanish from Nahuatl tamalli, a word tied to a pre-Columbian staple that was central to everyday life, feasting, and ceremonial foodways.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Nahuan
Uto-Aztecan
*tamali
“A wrapped or encased food parcel made from corn dough”
Classical Nahuatl
Nahuatl
tamalli
“A tamale; a prepared mass of maize dough, often filled and wrapped”
16th Century
Spanish
tamal
“A tamale, borrowed from Nahuatl during the colonial period”
19th Century
English
tamale
“A tamale, especially in Mexican and Mexican-American cuisine”
Modern English
English
tamale
“A steamed or boiled masa dish wrapped in corn husks, banana leaves, or similar materials”