OUTOFPAPUA database: Lexicons of the West Papuan language area

Entry record from Schapper (2020): Wersing Peitoko

ailak[ˈajlak]

•  n. sweet potato.ubi jalar; ubi batatas.

Purasi deing ilu gbitirmi ailak mdi.The people of Pureman plant sweet potatoes by the side of the stream., Orang Pureman tanam betatas di pinggir kali.

Scientific name: Ipomoea batatas

Etymology: Austronesian borrowing. First element |fn{ai-} is certainly a reflex of PMP *kahiw ‘tree, wood’ (ACD).

Etymology: bibref R003

Source: Hans Retebana