durian

name

1. A barangay of San Fernando, Bukidnon, Philippines.
2. A barangay of Las Nieves, Agusan del Norte, Philippines.
3. A barangay of Picong, Lanao del Sur, Philippines.

noun

Etymology: From Malay durian, ultimately from Proto-Austronesian *duʀi (“thorn”). Doublet of iwi, from Māori.

1. Any of several trees, genus Durio, of Southeast Asia.
2. The spiky edible fruit of this tree, known for its strong taste and very strong, unpleasant odor.

   “1692, Robert Boyle, General Heads for the Natural History of a Country Great or Small, London: John Taylor and S. Hedford, “Enquiries for Suratte, &c.,” p. 96, Whether the Betele hath such a contrariety to the Durion, that a few Leaves of that, put to a whole Shopful of Durions, will make them all rot suddenly; and whether those that have surfeited on Durions, and thereby over-heated themselves, do, by laying a Leaf or two of Betele upon their Breasts or Stomachs, immediately cure the Inflammations, and Recover.”

   “The Mangosteen, Lansat, Rambutan, Jack, Jambou, and Blimbing, are all abundant; but most abundant and most esteemed is the Durian, a fruit about which very little is known in England, but which both by natives and Europeans in the Malay Archipelago is reckoned superior to all others.”

3. A deep, rich yellow colour, like that of durian flesh (also called durian yellow).