ˈkad.əˌchü, -ˌshü, -ˌkyü noun
( -s )
Etymology: probably modification of Malay kachu, of Dravidian origin; akin to Tamil & Kanarese kācu, Malayalam kāccu
1. : any of various dry, earthy, or resinous astringent substances obtained by extraction and evaporation from the wood, leaves, or fruits of various tropical Asiatic plants: as
a. : an extract of the heartwood of an East Indian acacia that is used for dyeing, tanning, preserving fish nets and sails, and formerly in medicine — called also black catechu
b. : gambier — see dye table I (under Natural Brown 3 )
c. : cutch I 2
2. : an East Indian spiny tree ( Acacia catechu ) that has twice-pinnate leaves, yellow flowers, and flat pods and is the source of catechu
3. : a variable color averaging auburn — called also cutch