catechu
plant extract
Also known as: cashoo, cutch
Quick Summary
Catechu is a dry, earthy, or resinous astringent substance derived from tropical Asian plants. It is most commonly an extract from the heartwood of the acacia tree Senegalia catechu. Another form of catechu is gambier. The word "catechu" likely originates from Malay and has Dravidian roots. It has been in use since at least 1683.1
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