[ˈrafɪə], (Noun)

Definitions:
- a palm tree native to tropical Africa and Madagascar, with a short trunk and leaves which may be up to 18 m (60 feet) long


Phrases:

Origin:
early 18th century (in the form rofia): from Malagasy. The forms raphia and raffia, which derive from Malagasy via French and Latin, date from the late 18th century and the mid 19th century respectively