any of various SE Asian trees (genus Taraktogenos, family Bixaceae and genus Hydnocarpus, family Flacourtiaceae) whose seeds yield a nonvolatile oil, once commonly used to treat leprosy
Origin:
Beng cāulmugrā, E Ind tree
See chaulmoogra in American Heritage Dictionary 4
noun
Any of several tropical Asian trees of the genus Hydnocarpus, whose seeds contain an oil formerly used to treat skin lesions caused by leprosy and other diseases.