fustic

noun

fus·​tic ˈfə-stik 

: the wood of a tropical American tree (Chlorophora tinctoria) of the mulberry family that yields a yellow dye

also : any of several similar dyewoods

Word History

Etymology

Middle English fustyk smoke tree, from Middle French fustoc, from Arabic fustuq, from Greek pistakē pistachio tree — more at pistachio

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

fustic

noun

fus·​tic ˈfəs-tik 

: the wood of a tropical American tree that is related to the mulberries and is the source of a yellow dye

also : a tree that produces this wood