snakewood

[ sneyk-wood ]

noun

the heavy, dark-red wood of a South American tree, Piratinera guianensis, used for decorative veneers, musical instrument bows, etc.
the tree that is the source of this wood.

Origin of snakewood

First recorded in 1590–1600; snake + wood¹

He was well, but neatly, dressed, and had hooked to his wrist a thin snakewood cane attached to a crook handle.
The Man Who Knew | Edgar Wallace
So he swung round his cane of heavy snakewood at the cow, and struck her poor horns so sharply that her head went round.
Springhaven | R. D. Blackmore
With the single exception of snakewood it is the heaviest wood for rod making and is only used for short bait-casting rods.
The Boy Mechanic, Book 2 | Various
Several species of Strychnos are considered infallible remedies for snake bites; hence are known as snakewood.
Catalogue of Economic Plants in the Collection of the U. S. Department of Agriculture | William Saunders

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