Real Dictionary

tamale in American English
a Mexican dish consisting of cornmeal dough around a filling as of minced meat and red peppers, the whole then wrapped in corn husks or plantain leaves and cooked by baking, steaming, etc.
noun: a Mexican dish made of minced and seasoned meat packed in cornmeal dough, wrapped in corn husks, and steamed

tamale in British English
noun: a Mexican dish made of minced meat mixed with crushed maize and seasonings, wrapped in maize husks and steamed