Vouacapou
/ˌvuː.ə.kəˈpuː/noun
A tropical American tree of the genus Vouacapoua, especially Vouacapoua americana, valued for its durable timber.
Did you know?Vouacapoua is a botanical genus name formed from a vernacular name recorded in French Guiana, preserving Indigenous American plant knowledge in scientific Latin.
Etymological Timeline
Indigenous Guiana
Indigenous South American language
vouacapou
“A vernacular name for a tropical timber tree; the precise source language and original segmentation are uncertain.”
18th Century
French
vouacapou
“A French colonial-era plant name used for the tree and its wood in Guiana.”
1775
Botanical Latin
Vouacapoua
“The genus name established from the vernacular name.”
19th Century
Scientific English
Vouacapoua
“A botanical genus of tropical American trees.”
Modern English
English
vouacapou
“A common or trade name for Vouacapoua timber or the tree producing it.”