From Wiktionary, the free dictionary
From Java + bean, continuing the coffee association of the name, now often shortened to just bean.
JavaBean (plural JavaBeans)
- (Java programming language) A reusable software component written in Java, allowing access to its properties using standardized getter and setter methods.
- Synonym: bean
2006, Susan Sales Harkins, Bryan Chamberlain, Darren McGee, Mastering Dreamweaver MX Databases, John Wiley and Sons, →ISBN, page 291:You then simply access the compiled JavaBean from all your JSP script pages.
2009, Y. Daniel Liang, Introduction to Java Programming: Comprehensive Version, Prentice Hall, →ISBN, page 1050:Every Java user interface class is a JavaBeans component.
reusable software component
— see also bean 
