[1] : The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

tamale \tama"le\, n. written also tamal, tomale. amer.
   sp. tamal, of mex. origin.
   a mexican dish made of crushed corn cornmeal mixed with
   minced meat, seasoned with red pepper, dipped in oil, and
   steamed.
   webster 1913 suppl.
see also:
tamal tomale 

[2] : WordNet (r) 2.0

tamale
     n : corn and cornmeal dough stuffed with a meat mixture then
         wrapped in corn husks and steamed

Tamale >> T Words
Tamale, definition of term: Tamale
tamale_pag1.html