Princeton's WordNet(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition: cassava, cassava starch, manioc, manioca(noun) a starch made by leaching and drying the root of the cassava plant; the source of tapioca; a staple food in the tropics. cassava, manioc(noun) cassava root eaten as a staple food after drying and leaching; source of tapioca.