logwood

[ lawg-wood, log- ]

noun

1. the heavy, brownish-red heartwood of a West Indian and Central American tree, Haematoxylon campechianum, of the legume family, used in dyeing.
2. the tree itself.

logwood

/ ˈlɒɡˌwʊd /

noun

1. a leguminous tree, Haematoxylon campechianum, of the Caribbean and Central America
2. the heavy reddish-brown wood of this tree, yielding the dye haematoxylin See also haematoxylon

Word History and Origins

Origin of logwood¹

First recorded in 1575–85; log ¹ + wood ¹

Example Sentences

Campeche was colonized by Spain in the 16th century; over the next 100 years, as trade in logwood dye created wealth, it was under constant attack by pirates, many hailing from Spain’s arch enemy, England.

From Washington Post

For example, the famous steeple was financed in part by the sale of logwood, the harvesting of which was dependent on slave labor, she said.

From Seattle Times

Its location also made it a commercial centre as well; merchants traded slaves, sugar and logwood.

From BBC

They were joined by other desperadoes, notably by a gang of logwood cutters from the Bays of Campechy and Honduras.

From Project Gutenberg

They raise cotton for clothing, which they dye various colours with logwood, indigo, and the achiote, a large tree, whose seed is used for that purpose.

From Project Gutenberg