Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Raffia \Raf"fi*a\, n. (Bot.)
   A fibrous material used for tying plants, said to come from
   the leaves of a palm tree of the genus {Raphia}. --J. Smith
   (Dict. Econ. Plants).

Source : WordNet®

raffia
     n 1: leaf fibers of the raffia palm tree; used to make baskets
          and mats etc. [syn: {raphia}]
     2: fiber of a raffia palm used as light cordage and in making
        hats and baskets
     3: feather palm of tropical Africa and Madagascar and Central
        and South America widely grown for commercial purposes
        [syn: {genus Raffia}, {Raphia}, {genus Raphia}]