DictionaryRoot: zarza
Spanish
zarza
bramble
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noun
sarsaparilla
sahr-spuh-RIL-uh/ˌsɑːrspəˈrɪlə/
A tropical climbing plant with flavoring roots.
Etymology
The Spanish components mean “bramble” and “little vine,” naming the plant whose root supplied the flavoring. The plant’s name extended to the sweet drink, originally with a suggestion of medicinal benefit.