camwood

British  

/ ˈkæmˌwʊd /

noun

1. a W African leguminous tree, Baphia nitida, whose hard wood was formerly used in making a red dye

2. the wood of this tree

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Etymology

Origin of camwood

C20: perhaps from Temne

Example Sentences

The following extracts from his writings set this matter beyond all doubt: “Bolobo is a great centre for the ivory and camwood powder trade, principally because its people are so enterprising.”

From The Crime of the Congo by Doyle, Arthur Conan, Sir

The latter consisted chiefly of rubber, palm oil and kernels, coffee, piassava fiber, ivory, ginger, camwood, and arnotto.

From The Negro by Du Bois, W. E. B. (William Edward Burghardt)

The trade of these regions consists of an exchange of tropical products—palm-oil, rubber, ebony, camwood, ivory, and hides—for cloth, tobacco, fire-arms, beads and trinkets, and preserved foods.

From Commercial Geography A Book for High Schools, Commercial Courses, and Business Colleges by Redway, Jacques W. (Jacques Wardlaw)

The chief part of its trade is in slaves, camwood, and ivory, the latter, however, being small, although Port Logo commands a very extensive back country.

From Observations Upon the Windward Coast of Africa by Corry, Joseph

On the first day following the tax palaver Bosambo went down the river with four canoes, each canoe painted beautifully with camwood and gum, and with twenty-four paddlers.

From Bones Being Further Adventures in Mr. Commissioner Sanders' Country by Wallace, Edgar