Pawpaw

Via Portuguese and Spanish papaya from Galibi Carib; the reason for the change in spelling is unknown.

Full definition of pawpaw

Noun

1. Any of several types of trees having edible fruit:
1. Asimina, the pawpaw genus, a genus of trees and shrubs native to eastern North America, especially common pawpaw (Asimina triloba)
2. Papaya or pawpaw (Carica papaya), a widely cultivated tropical fruit tree
3. Mountain pawpaw (), a fruit tree native to South America
2. The fruit of these trees.

Noun

1. Grandfather.

Usage notes

Used as a term of address (hence often initial-capitalized).