catechu Meaning, Definition & Usage

noun extract of the heartwood of Acacia catechu used for dyeing and tanning and preserving fishnets and sails; formerly used medicinally
black catechu.
noun East Indian spiny tree having twice-pinnate leaves and yellow flowers followed by flat pods; source of black catechu
Acacia catechu; Jerusalem thorn.

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.