When was barbecue first used?

The term "barbecue" is believed to have originated in the early 17th century, derived from the Word "barbacoa," which referred to a method of slow-cooking meat over a wooden frame used by the Taíno people of the Caribbean. It was popularized in the Americas as European settlers adopted and adapted this cooking style. By the 18th century, barbecue had become a social event in the Southern United States, evolving into the diverse culinary tradition we know today.