The story
1980s, from (p)ol(y)est(e)r + -a.
Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Today it means: A fat substitute (a glyceride of sucrose) that cannot be easily digested and therefore adds no fat, calories, or cholesterol to food products; also used as an industrial lubricant. Full definition →
1980s, from (p)ol(y)est(e)r + -a.
Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.