Rotabagge is a Swedish dialectal word for the vegetable "Swede" which is known in America as rutabaga since it was introduced there from Sweden.
The name "rutabaga" derives from the Swedish word "rotabagge," which translates to "root bag." This reflects the vegetable's character as a root crop. The term was adopted into English in the 19th century, particularly in the United States, where it is often used to refer to the yellow-fleshed variety of the turnip. The rutabaga is believed to have originated from a cross between the turnip and wild cabbage.
This cabbage-family root vegetable resembles a large (3 to 5 inches in diameter) turnip and, in fact, is thought to be a cross between cabbage and turnip. The name comes from the Swedish rotabagge, which is why this vegetable is also called a Swede or Swedish turnip.
According to the Food Lover's Companion, the Swede (also known as rutabaga or a Swedish turnip) is so called because the name comes from the Swedish "rotabagge."For more information on this vegetable, see Answers.com at the Related Link.