cascara

American  

[kas-kair-uh] / kæsˈkɛər ə /

noun

1. a shrub, Rhamnus purshiana (orFrangula purshiana ), of the buckthorn family, of the Pacific coast of the United States, having finely toothed leaves and flowers in umbels and yielding cascara sagrada.

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cascara British  

/ kæsˈkɑːrə /

noun

1. See cascara sagrada

2. Also called: cascara buckthorn.   bearwood.  a shrub or small tree, Rhamnus purshiana of NW North America, whose bark is a source of cascara sagrada: family Rhamnaceae

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Etymology

Origin of cascara

An Americanism dating back to 1875–80; from Spanish cáscara “bark,” perhaps akin to cascar “to crack,” ultimately derived from unattested Vulgar Latin quassicāre, equivalent to Latin quass(āre) “to shatter” ( see quash) + -icā- formative verb suffix + -re infinitive ending

Example Sentences

Q: We planted a cascara tree in early April, and this is its current state.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 14, 2022

On the smaller size, cascara grow to 30 feet tall, and have gorgeous blooming flowers.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 26, 2021

The south-western and Latin American flavours here are played to the hilt: cascara instead of tea, menu written in Spanish.

From The Guardian • Mar. 15, 2017

“Even at the strongest, longest brew, the caffeine content of cascara came in at 111.4 mg/L, compared to the broad range of about 400-800 mg/L in brewed coffee.”

From The Guardian • Jul. 31, 2014

Hair lotion, lavender water, cascara, glycerine of cucumber for the hands, a mouthwash, toothpaste and some Elliman's.

From "And Then There Were None" by Agatha Christie