Aloeswood
/ˈæl.oʊzˌwʊd/noun
A fragrant, resinous wood—usually agarwood from Aquilaria trees—used in incense, perfume, and traditional medicine.
Did you know?Aloeswood has been burned as incense in religious and ceremonial traditions across Asia and the Middle East for centuries, while its “aloe” name does not mean it comes from the familiar aloe plant.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Semitic / Ancient Near East
Semitic
ʾahālīm
“A fragrant wood mentioned in ancient Hebrew texts; often associated with aromatic agarwood, though its exact botanical identity remains debated.”
5th Century BCE
Greek
ἀλόη (aloē)
“Aloe or another intensely fragrant plant substance, used medicinally and aromatically.”
1st Century BCE–1st Century CE
Latin
aloē
“Aloe and fragrant medicinal resin, borrowed from Greek.”
Middle English
English
aloes
“Aloe or an aromatic substance; the plural-looking form was also used in names for fragrant materials.”
16th–17th Century
English
aloes wood / aloeswood
“Fragrant wood used for incense and perfume, especially wood later identified with Aquilaria agarwood.”
Modern English
English
aloeswood
“Resin-saturated, highly aromatic wood from Aquilaria trees, commonly called agarwood.”