A tropical hardwood tree native to the Caribbean and Central America, valued for its strong, dense timber.
From Caribbean indigenous languages, likely Taíno origin, referring to this native tree species. The word entered European languages through colonial contact and trade. The exact pre-Columbian pronunciation and meaning remain somewhat uncertain.
Anahao wood is so dense and durable that it was highly prized by shipbuilders in the colonial era—a single piece of this wood could outlast an entire ship made of softer woods, making Caribbean timber traders extremely wealthy.
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