catechu

[ kat-i-choo, -kyoo ]

noun

1. any of several astringent substances obtained from various tropical plants, especially from the wood of two East Indian acacias, Acacia catechu and A. suma: used in medicine, dyeing, tanning, etc.

catechu

/ ˈkætɪˌtʃuː /

noun

1. a water-soluble astringent resinous substance obtained from any of certain tropical plants, esp the leguminous tree Acacia catechu of S Asia, and used in medicine, tanning, and dyeing See also gambier

Word History and Origins

Origin of catechu¹

1670–80; < New Latin < Portuguese; perhaps a conflation of Marathi kāt catechu and kāccu, with same sense, alleged to be < Malayalam; cashoo, cutch perhaps < Malay kacu < Malayalam, or a cognate Dravidian word

Word History and Origins

Origin of catechu¹

C17: probably from Malay kachu, of Dravidian origin

Example Sentences

Some traders will add a dab of catechu, a brown dye from the acacia tree, on its shoulder feathers to make it resemble the less common, more expensive Alexandrine parakeet.

From National Geographic

The preparation of henna consists in reducing the leaves and young twigs to a fine powder, catechu or lucerne leaves 272 in a pulverized state being sometimes mixed with them.

From Project Gutenberg

As soon as the ulcerations assume a healthy appearance, touch them with Turlington's balsam or tincture of gum catechu.

From Project Gutenberg

Jungle products—lac, silk cocoons, catechu and resin, which are exported; wild animals—bisons, buffaloes, tigers, leopards, hyenas, wolves, jackals, wild dogs and many sorts of deer.

From Project Gutenberg

On wool, catechu yields khaki browns in single bath by using copper sulphate as the mordant.

From Project Gutenberg