It is a derogatory way of referring to an Indian. It is a word of Nahuatl origin, which means broth of ash or embers. You can also say nejayote or nijayote. It is the name given to the water of the corn, which is the residual water with embers or lime which is used in the cooking of the corn. Water with lime used in soaking the corn. By extension means residue, scrap, miserable, Indian, indigenous, gross and ignorant.