'babassu' originates from Portuguese, specifically the word 'babassu', ultimately from an indigenous Brazilian (Tupi-Guarani) source referring to the palm and its fruit.

'babassu' entered English from Portuguese (botanical and trade usage) in the 19th century, retaining the original form 'babassu' and referring to the same palm and its products.

Initially it referred in indigenous languages and Portuguese to the palm and its fruit; in English it has kept the same botanical and commercial sense of 'the palm, its nut, and the oil extracted from it.'