Etymology

ipecacuanha

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Today it means: The root of Carapichea ipecacuanha, used as an emetic or purgative; a preparation of this root used as a drug; ipecac. Full definition →

First used 17th c.Brazilian Portuguese ipecacuanha
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The story

  1. Brazilian Portuguese · borrowed fromipecacuanha
  2. English todayipecacuanha

From Brazilian Portuguese ipecacuanha, from Old Tupi ypekakûãîa, from ypeka (“duck”) + akûãîa (“penis”).

First known use, by meaning

  • from 17th c. The root of Carapichea ipecacuanha, used as an emetic or purgative; a preparation of this root used as a drug; ipecac.
  • from 18th c. The flowering plant Carapichea ipecacuanha.

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.