quebracho

(kā brä′c̸hō)

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

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

See quebracho in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun pl. que·bra·chos

Either of two South American trees, Aspidosperma quebracho-blanco whose bark is used in medicine, or Schinopsis lorentzii whose wood is one of the richest sources of tannin.
The bark or wood of either of these trees.

Origin:

Origin: Spanish

Origin: , alteration of quiebrahacha

Origin: : quebrar, to break (from Latin crepāre, to crack)

Origin: + hacha, ax (from French hache, from Old French, of Germanic origin)

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