an ornamental cucurbitaceous vine, Momordica balsamina, of the Old World tropics, with yellow flowers and orange egg-shaped fruits
balsam apple in American English
noun
1.
a climbing Old World tropical vine, Momordica balsamina, of the gourd family
2.
the orange, ovoid, warty fruit of this vine
Word origin
[1570–80]This word is first recorded in the period 1570–80. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: agent, cartridge, duster, pigeonhole, skeleton