henequen

English

Alternative forms

• heniquen
• heniquin
• jeniquen

Etymology

From Spanish henequén, probably of Taíno origin.

Noun

henequen (countable and uncountable, plural henequens)

1. A tropical American agave, Agave fourcroydes, whose thick, sword-shaped leaves yield a coarse reddish fibre used in making rope etc.
2. The fibre from this plant (sometimes mistakenly called sisal, which is from Agave sisalana).