ˈkwäsh(ē)ə, -äsēə noun
Etymology: New Latin, from Quassi, 18th century Surinam Negro slave who discovered the medicinal value of Surinam quassia + New Latin -ia
1. capitalized : a genus of shrubs or trees (family Simaroubaceae) having pinnate leaves with winged petioles and large racemose scarlet flowers
2. -s : a drug consisting of the heartwood of various tropical trees of the family Simaroubaceae used in medicine as a bitter tonic and as a remedy for roundworms in children, as an insecticide, and in brewing as a substitute for hops — see jamaica quassia , surinam quassia