pi|a|sa|va

pi|as|sa|va or pi|a|sa|va «_PEE uh SAH vuh», noun.

1. a stout woody fiber obtained from the leafstalks of two Brazilian palms, one of which also yields the coquilla nut, used in making coarse brooms, brushes, and ropes.

2. a stiff, coarse fiber obtained from an African palm.

3. one of these palms.

╂[< Portuguese piassaba, also piassava < Tupi (Brazil) piaçába]