'Catechu' definitions:
Definition of 'catechu'
(from WordNet)
noun
Extract of the heartwood of Acacia catechu used for dyeing and tanning and preserving fishnets and sails; formerly used medicinally [syn: black catechu, catechu]
noun
East Indian spiny tree having twice-pinnate leaves and yellow flowers followed by flat pods; source of black catechu [syn: catechu, Jerusalem thorn, Acacia catechu]
Definition of 'Catechu'
From: GCIDE
- Catechu \Cat"e*chu\, n. [See Cashoo.] (Chem.) A dry, brown, astringent extract, obtained by decoction and evaporation from the Acacia catechu, and several other plants growing in India. It contains a large portion of tannin or tannic acid, and is used in medicine and in the arts. It is also known by the names terra japonica, cutch, gambier, etc. --Ure. --Dunglison. [1913 Webster]