tolu

[ taw-loo, tuh- ]

noun
  1. Also called tolu balsam, balsam of tolu, tolu resin. a fragrant, yellowish-brown balsam or resin obtained from a South American leguminous tree, Myroxylon balsamum, and used in medicine as a stomachic and expectorant, and in perfumery.

  2. the tree itself.

Origin of tolu

1
First recorded in 1665–75; after Tolú (now Santiago de Tolú) in Colombia, where balsam is obtained

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British Dictionary definitions for tolu

tolu

/ (tɒˈluː) /


noun
  1. an aromatic balsam obtained from a South American tree, Myroxylon balsamum: See balsam (def. 1)

Origin of tolu

1
C17: after Santiago de Tolu, Colombia, from which it was exported

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