Etymology Map
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Tuber

2 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a thick underground stem, such as a potato

Where does the word "tuber" come from? It comes from Latin tūber, adopted directly into English (1660s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
tūber
Latin · ancient
"swelling"
a lump or swelling; 'truffle' comes from the same word
2
Stage 2 of 2
tuber
English · 1660s
"underground stem"
taken into botany as the potato spread in Europe
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Read the full story

Tuber’s story begins in Latin: tūber meant “swelling.” A lump or swelling; 'truffle' comes from the same word. It reached English by 1660s as tuber. Taken into botany as the potato spread in Europe. Today, tuber means a thick underground stem, such as a potato.