kava

UK: /ˈkɑːvə/ US: (kä′və)

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

ka•va  (kä′və), n. 

1. Plant Biology a Polynesian shrub, Piper methysticum, of the pepper family, the aromatic roots of which are used to make an intoxicating beverage.
2. Food the beverage made from these roots. Also called ka′va•ka′va, ka′va-ka′va. 

• Polynesian (first recorded from Tonga Islands)
• 1810–20;

Ka•va•ic  (kə vā′ik), adj. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

kava / ˈkɑːvə/ noun

1. a Polynesian shrub, Piper methysticum: family Piperaceae
2. a drink prepared from the aromatic roots of this shrub

Etymology: 18th Century: from Polynesian (Tongan): bitter