List of English Words From Indigenous Languages of The Americas - Words From Arawakan Languages

Words From Arawakan Languages

Anole †

from an Arawakan language, or possibly Cariban, by way of French anolis.

Barbecue †

from an Arawakan language of Haiti barbakoa, "framework of sticks", via Spanish barbacoa.

Cacique or cassique †

from Taino cacike or Arawak kassequa "chieftain"

Caiman †

from a Ta-Maipurean language, "water spirit" (c.f. Garifuna ), though possibly ultimately of African origin.

Canoe †

from Taino via Spanish canoa.

Cassava †

from Taino caçabi, "manioc meal", via Spanish or Portuguese.

Cay †

from Taino, by way of Spanish cayo.

Guava †

from an Arawakan language, by way of Spanish guayaba.

Hammock †

from Taino, via Spanish hamaca.

Hurricane †

from Taino hurakán, via Spanish.

Iguana †

from an Arawakan language iwana.

Maize †

from Taino mahís, by way of Spanish.

Mangrove †

from Taino, via Spanish mangle or Portuguese mangue.

Papaya †

from Taino.

Potato †

from the Taino word for "sweet potato", via Spanish batata.

Savanna †

from Taino zabana, via Spanish.

Tobacco †

probably from an Arawakan language, via Spanish: tabaco.

Yuca †

from Taino, via Spanish.