cocobolo

noun

co·​co·​bo·​lo ˌkō-kə-ˈbō-(ˌ)lō 

variants or less commonly cocobola

ˌkō-kə-ˈbō-lə 

plural cocobolos also cocobolas

: the hard, heavy heartwood of any of various tropical American trees of the genus Dalbergia (especially Dalbergia retusa) that is typically yellowish-orange to reddish-brown in color

When finished, it will be a 4-inch, drop-point fixed blade knife with a handle of cocobolo, a tropical wood also known as rosewood.

—Jason Collins, The Victoria (Texas) Advocate, 21 Aug. 2006

In the sedate cocobolo-panelled dining room, serious men surrounded by decanters embark on elaborate tastings.

—Leo Carey, The New Yorker, 30 May 2005

also : a timber tree yielding cocobolo

Word History

Etymology

Spanish, from Arawak kakabali

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