any of a genus (Manilkara, esp. M. bidentata) of tropical American trees of the sapodilla family with hard, heavy, dark-red wood used for flooring, furniture, etc.
the dried milky sap of these trees, a rubberlike gum used to make golf ball covers, conveyor belts, etc.
Origin:
Sp < Tupí or Galibi
See balata in American Heritage Dictionary 4
noun
The nonelastic rubber obtained from the latex of the South American tree Manilkara bidentata. It has been used in the manufacture of golf-ball covers and machine belts.