Tobacco
/təˈbækoʊ/noun
A plant whose leaves are dried and fermented for use in smoking or chewing.
Did you know?The word 'tobacco' is believed to derive from the Taino word for the pipe used in ceremonial smoking, linking it to ritualistic practices of the indigenous people.
Etymological Timeline
Taino
Taino
tabaco
“The name for a plant and also refers to the pipe used for smoking.”
16th Century
Spanish
tabaco
“Adopted from Taino, referring to the smoking plant.”
17th Century
English
tobacco
“Imported term referring to the plant and its use in smoking.”
Modern English
English
tobacco
“Used to denote the cultivated plant, its leaves, and products made from it.”