An Indian tree (Anogeissus latifolia) that produces a gum used in textile dyeing, pharmaceutical products, and as a binder.
From Hindi 'ghat,' referring to the tree. The word entered English from Indian languages during colonial trade. The gum from this tree became important in textile manufacturing.
Before modern synthetic binders, Indian tree gums like ghatti were worth their weight in gold—textile makers traveled thousands of miles and battled pirates to control these 'liquid gold' tree products!
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