1. any of various fine-grained silty soils that become waxy and very sticky mud when saturated with water
2. tall coarse annual of Old World tropics widely cultivated in southern United States and West Indies for its long mucilaginous green pods used as basis for soups and stews; sometimes placed in genus Hibiscus
3. long mucilaginous green pods; may be simmered or sauteed but used especially in soups and stews