coca Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a South American shrub whose leaves are chewed by natives of the Andes; a source of cocaine
    coca plant; Erythroxylon coca.
  2. noun United States comedienne who starred in early television shows with Sid Caesar (1908-2001)
    Imogene Coca.
  3. noun dried leaves of the coca plant (and related plants that also contain cocaine); chewed by Andean people for their stimulating effect

WordNet

Co"ca noun
Etymology
Sp., fr. native name.
Definitions
  1. The dried leaf of a South American shrub (Erythroxylon Coca). In med., called Erythroxylon. ✍ Coca leaves resemble tea leaves in size, shape, and odor, and are chewed (with an alkali) by natives of Peru and Bolivia to impart vigor in prolonged exertion, or to sustain strength in absence of food.

Webster 1913