What does "navy bean" mean?

A white bean of a variety of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris).

What is a synonym for "navy bean"?

Common synonyms include: pea bean, vegetable, white bean.

noun

noun ·Rare ·Advanced level

Noun

1
A white bean of a variety of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris).
"Beans—Very scarce Navy Beans 112 a 115c."
2
white-seeded bean; usually dried wordnet

"Beans—Very scarce Navy Beans 112 a 115c."

So called because the United States Navy has served the beans as a staple to its sailors since the mid-1800s.