faseolum

( frijol [frixól] < Latin faseolum 'bean' via Galician-Portuguese freixó, and possibly influenced by Mozarabic)

    DARE: 1831. A kidney or pinto bean, or any similar bean. It may refer to a dried bean or (generally in the plural) to beans prepared with lard and refried until they form a paste. The DRAE indicates that frijol is an Americanism and that the standard spelling is fréjol. Santamaría notes that frijol is the only variant used in the Americas, except in Colombia, where frísol may be heard. Santamaría also indicates that frijol is a general term to describe many varieties of beans. In Mexico, the plural form frijoles refers to a meal made from beans. Cobos concurs. Cecilia Tocaimaza (personal communication) indicates that the singular form refers to dried beans whereas the plural form has reference to the cooked, prepared beans.

    Alternate forms: freeholies (plural), free-holy, frejol, fricole, frijol, frijole bean.

    Also called Mexican strawberry. Beans were a common staple in the diet of many a ranch hand and cowboy.