pandan
nounCA, US /ˈpeə̯ndən/ · /ˈpændən/
Etymology Borrowed from Malay pandan, ultimately from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *paŋdan. Doublet of hala via Hawaiian.
1
A screw pine, screw palms (Pandanus spp.).
2
A traditional Malay food flavouring derived from the leaves of Pandanus amaryllifolius.
- “Like vanilla, but better,” she explains. “It’s fragrant and herbal, like you’re taking a big breath of the forest. I can’t believe white people haven’t learned about pandan yet.”2023, R. F. Kuang, Yellowface, The Borough Press, page 17: