soapberry

[ sohp-ber-ee, -buh-ree ]

noun

, plural soap·ber·ries.

1. the fruit of any of certain tropical or subtropical trees of the genus Sapindus, especially S. saponaria, used as a substitute for soap.
2. the tree itself.

soapberry

/ ˈsəʊpˌbɛrɪ /

noun

1. any of various chiefly tropical American sapindaceous trees of the genus Sapindus, esp S. saponaria (or S. marginatus ), having pulpy fruit containing saponin
2. a related plant, S. drummondii, of the southwestern US
3. the fruit of any of these trees

Word History and Origins

Origin of soapberry¹

First recorded in 1685–95; soap + berry