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tonka bean


ton·ka bean

noun \ˈtäŋ-kə-\

Definition of TONKA BEAN

: the coumarin-containing seed of any of several tropical American leguminous trees (genus Dipteryx, especially D. odorata) that is used in perfumes and as an artificial vanilla flavoring; also : a tree bearing tonka beans

Origin of TONKA BEAN

Dutch tonka(-boon) & Portuguese (fava-)tonca, perhaps of Cariban origin
First Known Use: 1796

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