Eaglewood

/ˈiːɡəlwʊd/ noun

Definition

Another name for agarwood, a fragrant resin from tropical trees highly valued in perfumery and incense.

Etymology

From 'eagle' + 'wood,' named either from resemblance to eagle characteristics or from folk etymology. The same wood is also called 'oud' or 'agarwood' from Sanskrit and Arabic origins.

Kelly Says

Eaglewood is one of the world's most expensive woods because it forms from a rare fungal infection—medieval Europeans called it 'eagle wood' without knowing why, while Middle Eastern traders knew it as 'oud' and used it for millennia.

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