poi

Where does the word "poi" come from? It comes from Hawaiian poi, and was adopted directly into English (1800s).

Poi’s story begins in Hawaiian: poi meant “pounded taro paste.” A staple food made from pounded, fermented taro root. It reached English by 1800s as poi. Taro paste, fermented slightly; a staple of the traditional Hawaiian diet. Today, poi means a traditional Hawaiian food made from pounded, fermented taro root.

1. Stage 1 · Hawaiian · ancient poi "pounded taro paste", a staple food made from pounded, fermented taro root.
2. Stage 2 · English · 1800s poi "a starchy paste made from taro root", taro paste, fermented slightly; a staple of the traditional Hawaiian diet.