poon

[ poon ]

noun

1. any of several East Indian trees of the genus Calophyllum, that yield a light, hard wood used for masts, spars, etc.
2. the wood of these trees.

poon

¹

/ puːn /

noun

1. slang.
   a stupid or ineffectual person

poon

²

/ puːn /

noun

1. any of several trees of the SE Asian genus Calophyllum having lightweight hard wood and shiny leathery leaves: family Clusiaceae
2. the wood of any of these trees, used to make masts and spars

Word History and Origins

Origin of poon¹

1690–1700; compare Tamil punnai, pinnai, Malayalam punna names for Calophyllum inophyllum

Word History and Origins

Origin of poon¹

C20: from English dialect

Origin of poon²

C17: from Singhalese pūna