A large African tree (Magnolia grandiflora variant or similar species) valued for its timber and medicinal properties, found primarily in West Africa.
From West African languages, likely Yoruba or related Niger-Congo languages where the tree grows naturally. The word entered English through colonial trade contacts and botanical documentation in the 19th century.
Disawa shows how English absorbed words from African languages through trade and colonialism — many African tree names remain in botanical texts but are rarely known outside forestry circles.
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.