catechu

7 ENTRIES FOUND:

cat·e·chu

noun \ˈka-tə-ˌchü, -ˌshü\

Definition of CATECHU

: any of several dry, earthy, or resinous astringent substances obtained from tropical plants of Asia: as a : an extract of the heartwood of an East Indian acacia (Acacia catechu) b : gambier

Origin of CATECHU

probably modification of Malay kachu, of Dravidian origin; akin to Tamil & Kannada kācu catechu
First Known Use: 1683

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