quebracho

noun pl. -·chos

1. a tropical American tree (Schinopsis lorentzii) of the cashew family, whose hard wood yields an extract used in tanning
2. a South American tree (Aspidosperma quebracho-blanco) of the dogbane family, whose bark yields alkaloids formerly used in medicine
3. the wood or bark of either of these trees

Etymology: AmSp, contr. < quiebrahacha, lit., ax breaker (because of the hardness of the wood) < quebrar, to break + hacha, ax