fustic

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   the yellow dyewood or dye obtained from the tropical American tree Maclura tinctoria, also called old fustic or dyer's mulberry

   The dyer used fustic to produce a durable yellow on the wool.

2. 2
   noun

   the wood or yellow-orange dye of the Eurasian smoketree Cotinus coggygria, called young fustic

   Young fustic supplied a brighter but less permanent dye than old fustic.

From Middle English fustik, through Middle French fustoc or fustet and Old Occitan fustet, ultimately from Arabic fustuq and Greek pistake, 'pistachio tree.' The name first referred to the smoketree and its dyewood, then broadened to similar American yellow dyewoods.

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