Definition: catechu

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Source: WordNet (r) 1.7 

catechu
     n 1: extract of the heartwood of Acacia catechu used for dying
          and tanning and preserving fishnets and sails; formerly
          used medicinally [syn: black catechu]
     2: East Indian spiny tree having twice-pinnate leaves and
        yellow flowers followed by flat pods; source of black
        catechu [syn: Jerusalem thorn, Acacia catechu]

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) 

Catechu \Cat"e*chu\, n. [See Cashoo.] (Chem.)
   A dry, brown, astringent extract, obtained by decoction and
   evaporation from the Acacia catechu, and several other
   plants growing in India. It contains a large portion of
   tannin or tannic acid, and is used in medicine and in the
   arts. It is also known by the names terra japonica,
   cutch, gambier, etc. --Ure. --Dunglison.