The word braai (pronounced "bry", rhyming with the word "dry") is an Afrikaans word, which may be used as a noun or a verb.

Verb

To braai means to burn or to roast in a general sense.

Most often used to refer to the popular process of roasting or barbecuing meat on the coals. The meat done in this fashion is referred to as braaivleis.

To "have a braai" is an enormously popular social custom in South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Zambia. It originated as a such with the Afrikaans segment of the population, deriving from the pragmatic custom of travelers, explorers, and hunters to roast meat on a fire and coals on hunting and other trips. It has since been adopted by almost all South Africans, from many ethnic backgrounds, over the past 50 years or so.

Noun

"A braai" can either be the place where you braai the meat ( "he built a braai in the backyard") or the whole process/event ("I was invited to a braai").