Sappanwood
/ˈsæpənˌwʊd/noun
A reddish hardwood from the sappan tree, historically used to produce red dye.
Did you know?Sappanwood contains brazilin, a colorless-to-yellow compound that oxidizes into the vivid red pigment brasilein when exposed to air or alkaline substances.
Etymological Timeline
Pre-modern Southeast Asia
Malay
sepang
“Name for the sappan tree or its dyewood; the precise deeper origin is uncertain.”
16th Century
Portuguese
sapão
“A trade name for sappanwood encountered through Southeast Asian commerce.”
16th Century
English
sappan
“The reddish dyewood imported from tropical Asia.”
17th Century
English
sappan wood
“Wood of the sappan tree, used especially as a source of red dye.”
Modern English
English
sappanwood
“The established compound form for the dye-producing hardwood of Biancaea sappan.”
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