n. [ Prob. from the native name in the West Indies; cf. Sp. papayo papaw, papaya the fruit of the papaw. ] [ Written also pawpaw. ] 1. (Bot.) Same as papaya, senses 1 and 2. [ 1913 Webster +PJC ]

2. (Bot.) A tree of the genus Asimina (Asimina triloba), growing in the western and southern parts of the United States, and producing a sweet edible fruit; also, the fruit itself. Gray. [ 1913 Webster ]