noun
glutinous millet
A variety of millet with sticky grains, used for making mochi and certain alcoholic beverages.
糯粟はもち米のように粘り気がある。
Glutinous millet is sticky like glutinous rice.
この地方では糯粟を使って餅を作る。
In this region, they make mochi using glutinous millet.
Compound of 糯 (mochi, 'glutinous') and 粟 (awa, 'millet'). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the term transparently describes the sticky variety of millet.