haitsai
noun
hai·tsai
ˈhīˈtsī
plural -s
1
: a transparent gelatinous substance prepared from a red alga (Gloiopeltis tenax) and used by the Chinese for lanterns and windows and for stiffening cloth
2
: the alga that yields haitsai
Word History
Etymology
Chinese (Pekingese) hai3-t'sai4, from hai3 sea + t'sai4 herb, green vegetable