Bitterwood
/ˈbɪt.ər.wʊd/noun
A tree or its wood that has a notably bitter taste, especially a tropical tree of the genus Quassia used medicinally and as a bittering agent.
Did you know?Quassia wood, one of the best-known bitterwoods, was traditionally infused as a medicinal tonic and later used to add bitterness to beverages such as bitters and some beers.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*bheid-
“To split or cleave; a proposed deep root associated with the Germanic family of words connected with biting and bitterness.”
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*bitraz
“Biting, sharp, or bitter in taste.”
Old English
Old English
biter
“Biting, sharp, or bitter; the source of modern English bitter.”
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*widhu-
“Tree or wood; the ancient root behind Germanic words for woodland and timber.”
Old English
Old English
wudu
“Wood, forest, or timber.”
Middle English
Middle English
biter wode
“A descriptive compound meaning bitter wood; related botanical compounds became increasingly common in English.”
Modern English
English
bitterwood
“A bitter-tasting tree or its wood, especially Quassia and related tropical species.”