yampee

[ yam-pee ]

noun

1. a vine, Dioscorea trifida, of South America, having large leaves and edible tubers.

Word History and Origins

Origin of yampee¹

First recorded in 1790–1800; perhaps ultimately of West African origin; compare Vai (Mande language of Liberia and Sierra Leone) džambi “wild yam”

Example Sentences

When I pointed to the fresh water, he said slowly and distinctly, "Yampee, Yampee."

From Project Gutenberg

He was soon alongside, and with great satisfaction we at once recognized our strange friend of yesterday, who amongst the boat's crew, went by the sobriquet of Yampee.

From Project Gutenberg

He again made use of the word Yampee according to our orthography, and after repeating it several times, I offered him some water, which he very eagerly accepted, twice emptying a canister that had originally held 4 pounds of preserved meat; this afforded me additional proof of Yampee being the word the natives of these parts use for water.

From Project Gutenberg