guanabana

Where does the word "guanabana" come from? It comes from Taino wanabana, passing through Spanish before entering English (1750s).

Guanabana’s story begins in Taino: wanabana meant “a large, spiny tropical fruit.” Named the large, spiky-skinned tropical fruit. By 1600s, the word had taken hold in Spanish as guanábana. English 'soursop' comes from the Dutch name for the same fruit. It reached English by 1750s as guanabana. Borrowed into English through accounts of Caribbean and tropical fruit. Today, guanabana means soursop, a large tropical fruit with spiky green skin and sweet-tart white flesh.

1. Stage 1 · Taino · pre-1500s wanabana "a large, spiny tropical fruit", named the large, spiky-skinned tropical fruit.
2. Stage 2 · Spanish · 1600s guanábana "soursop, a tropical fruit", English 'soursop' comes from the Dutch name for the same fruit.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1750s guanabana "soursop, a large tropical fruit with white flesh", borrowed into English through accounts of Caribbean and tropical fruit.