cascarilla

[kas-kuh-ril-uh]

noun

1. Also called cascarilla bark. the bitter, aromatic bark of a West Indian shrub, Croton eluteria, of the spurge family, used as a tonic.

2. the shrub itself.

cascarilla

/ ˌkæskəˈrɪlə /

noun

1. a West Indian euphorbiaceous shrub, Croton eluteria, whose bitter aromatic bark is used as a tonic

2. the bark of this shrub

Word History and Origins

Origin of cascarilla¹

1870–75; < Spanish, equivalent to cascar ( a ) bark ( cascara ) + -illa < Latin -illa diminutive suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of cascarilla¹

C17: from Spanish, diminutive of cáscara bark; see _cascara

Example Sentences

The copper pot-distilled liquid comes in two varieties: Spice 94 is made using oak, cascarilla bark, green cardamom, allspice berries, lemon peel and grapefruit peel.

From Los Angeles Times

This cascarilla is formed by the trituration of egg-shells; and the oval faces whitened with it resemble a larger egg, with features drawn on it in black and red.

From Project Gutenberg

Much better than plain water he considers water to which some light bitter has been added, such as cascarilla.

From Project Gutenberg

It was Bill who used to shriek after me, “Box o’ lyats,” and would not believe that I never smoked and had no use for the cascarilla scented vesuvians.

From Project Gutenberg

The bitterness is imparted by such substances as bitter orange rind, gentian, rhubarb, quassia, cascarilla, angostura, quinine and cinchona.

From Project Gutenberg