SINCE 1828
dictionary
thesaurus
view recents

barbasco

noun
Save Word
bar·​bas·​co | \ bärˈba(ˌ)skō, -rˈbä- \
variants: or less commonly babasco \ bäˈb-​ , bəˈb-​ \
plural -s

Definition of barbasco

1 : wild cinnamon sense 1
2 : joewood
3a : any of various plants used by the Indians of northern South America in making fish poison especially : cube entry 3 sense 1
b : the poison (such as rotenone) contained in these plants

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

History and Etymology for barbasco

American Spanish barbasco, perhaps alteration of Spanish verbasco, varbasco mullein, from Latin verbascum

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about barbasco

Statistics for barbasco

Cite this Entry

“Barbasco.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/barbasco. Accessed 5 Mar. 2021.

Style: MLA
MLA Chicago APA Merriam-Webster

Comments on barbasco

What made you want to look up barbasco? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

abhor

Listen to the pronunciation of abhor

See Definitions and Examples »

Test Your Vocabulary

Who Knew?

  • who knew quiz
  • What is a ruelle?
Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

TAKE THE QUIZ
Universal Daily Crossword

A daily challenge for crossword fanatics.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games