balata

noun

ba·​la·​ta bə-ˈlä-tə 

: the dried latex of a tropical American tree (genus Manilkara and especially M. bidentata) of the sapodilla family that is similar to gutta-percha and is used especially in belting and golf balls

also : a tree yielding it

Examples of balata in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The legendary Hogan, who died nearly 20 years ago, won four U.S. Opens and two Masters tournaments using a wood driver and balata balls. —Charley Walters, Twin Cities, 3 June 2017

Word History

Etymology

Spanish, from Carib

First Known Use

1860, in the meaning defined above