Also edoes, eddas, edders, eddy (in eddy-root). [An African word, from the language of the Gold Coast.] ‘The tuberous stems of various araceous plants, as Colocasia esculenta … Caladium bicolor, etc.’ (Treas. Bot.). Eddy-root: the root of the taro (Colocasia macrorhiza).
1685. Burton, Engl. Empire America, x. 142. Carrots, Potatoes, and Edoes, a substantial wholesome nourishing Root.
1750. G. Hughes, Barbados, 227. The different species of Eddas are distinguished into the blue Eddas, the scratching Eddas, and the roasting Eddas.
1772–84. Cook, Voy. (1790), VI. 2022. Extensive plantations, consisting of the taro or eddy root, and sweet potatoes.
1803. T. Winterbottom, Sierra Leone, I. iv. 64, note. Eddoes, arum sagittæ folium, have been introduced by the Nova Scotian settlers.
1841. Orderson, Creoleana, ii. 10. Yams, potatoes, and eddoes.
