an Indian grass of the genus Saccharum, used in some areas for fodder, thatching, etc., and being in other areas a troublesome weed
Word origin
[1870–75; ‹ Hindi kās ‹ Skt kāśa; cf. Pali, Prakrit kāsa]This word is first recorded in the period 1870–75. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: asymmetric, fifth wheel, immobilize, upgrade, washout