Yam is the common name for members of the genus Dioscorea. Some species are cultivated for consumption in Africa and Asia. The word "yam" is derived from Portugueseinhame or Spanishñame, which are ultimately from the West African nyami, meaning "to eat". They are used in a similar fashion to potatoes, and are sometimes called a potato substitute, though in those areas where yams are grown, potatoes are the newer vegetable.
The sweeter varieties of sweet potato (Ipomoea) are often called "yams", causing much confusion.
In the Philippines, yams (known as "ube") is eaten as a sweetened dessert (called "halaya"), and often with other fruits and milk as part of halo-halo.
Yam or Yaw is the name for the Levantine god of the untamed sea as found in texts from the ancient city of Ugarit.
Yam is the common name for members of the genus