Agarwood
/ˈæɡərˌwʊd/noun
A fragrant, resin-impregnated wood produced mainly by trees of the genus Aquilaria.
Did you know?Agarwood forms when Aquilaria trees are infected or injured, triggering resin production; the rarest resin-rich wood has been valued in incense traditions across South and East Asia for millennia.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Sanskrit
Sanskrit
aguru
“A fragrant, resinous wood; the source of later South and Southeast Asian forms.”
Early Southeast Asian usage
Malay
gaharu / agar
“Aromatic resinous wood, especially from Aquilaria trees.”
Medieval Arabic usage
Arabic
ʿūd
“Aromatic wood; the source of the modern perfume term oud, referring especially to agarwood.”
16th Century
English
agar-wood
“A fragrant wood imported for incense and medicinal use.”
Modern English
English
agarwood
“Resinous Aquilaria wood used in incense, perfumery, and traditional medicines.”