ETYM Chinese shôyű.
1. A source of oil; used for forage and soil improvement and as food; SYN. soybean, soyabean.
2. Erect bushy hairy annual herb having trifoliate leaves and purple to pink flowers; extensively cultivated for food and forage and soil improvement but especially for its nutritious oil-rich seeds; native to Asia.
3. Most highly proteinaceous vegetable crop known; SYN. soybean.