guarana

Where does the word "guarana" come from? It comes from Tupi-Guarani warana, passing through Portuguese before entering English (1830s).

Guarana’s story begins in Tupi-Guarani: warana meant “a caffeine-rich seed.” Named the caffeine-rich seed used by Amazonian peoples as a stimulant. By 1700s, the word had taken hold in Portuguese as guaraná. Guaraní and Sateré-Mawé peoples used the caffeine-rich seed; Brazil's guaraná soft drinks date from 1921. It reached English by 1830s as guarana. Borrowed into English through botanical and trade accounts. Today, guarana means a caffeine-rich Amazonian plant seed, widely used as an ingredient in energy drinks.

1. Stage 1 · Tupi-Guarani · pre-1500s warana "a caffeine-rich seed", named the caffeine-rich seed used by Amazonian peoples as a stimulant.
2. Stage 2 · Portuguese · 1700s guaraná "a stimulant seed and the plant that produces it", Guaraní and Sateré-Mawé peoples used the caffeine-rich seed; Brazil's guaraná soft drinks date from 1921.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1830s guarana "a caffeine-rich Amazonian plant used in stimulant drinks", borrowed into English through botanical and trade accounts.