an ornamental myrtaceous tree, Syzygium jambos, of the East Indies, cultivated in the tropics for its edible fruit
rose apple in American English
noun
1.
any of various tropical trees belonging to the genus Syzygium, of the myrtle family, esp. S. jambos, of the East Indies, having showy, greenish-white flowers and oval, yellowish fruit
2.
the fragrant fruit of any of these trees, used in making jellies and confections
Word origin
[1620–30]This word is first recorded in the period 1620–30. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: contact, geometric, headline, midshipman, settlement