chaparro

noun

cha·​par·​ro

shəˈpä(ˌ)rō,

ch-

plural -s

1

: a Mexican oak (Quercus reticulata) with close-grained hard brown wood

2

or chaparro prieto : a Mexican acacia (Acacia amentacea) with sweet-scented yellow flowers

3

: a tropical American tree (Curatella americana) of the family Dilleniaceae distinguished by very rough leaves that are widely used for polishing and scouring

called also sandpaper tree

4

: any of several trees of the genus Byrsonima most of which have edible fruits and bark useful for tanning

Word History

Etymology

American Spanish, from Spanish, dwarf evergreen oak

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