Kaffir boom

noun

-ˌbōm,

-ˌbüm

variants or kaffir boom

Africa

: coral tree

especially : a coral tree (Erythrina caffra) with scarlet flowers and light soft wood sometimes used for fence posts or shingles

Word History

Etymology

partial translation of Afrikaans kafferboom, from Kaffer Kaffir + boom tree, from Dutch, from Middle Dutch; akin to Old English bēam tree

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