palo santo

noun

pa·​lo san·​to

ˌpalōˈsanˌtō,

ˌpälōˈsän-

: any of several South American trees esteemed locally for medicinal or other special properties

especially : a tree (Bulnesia sarmienti) of the family Zygophyllaceae occurring in dry interior regions of Argentina and Paraguay and having a resinous heartwood used for incense see guaiac wood

Word History

Etymology

American Spanish, literally, holy tree

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