gambier

or gam·bir

[ gam-beer ]
/ ˈgæm bɪər /

noun

an astringent extract obtained from the leaves and young shoots of a tropical Asian shrub, Uncaria gambir, of the madder family, used in medicine, dyeing, tanning, etc.

Origin of gambier

First recorded in 1820–30, gambier is from the Malay word gambir the name of the plant

Example sentences from the Web for gambir

British Dictionary definitions for gambir

gambier

gambir

/ (ˈɡæmbɪə) /

noun

an astringent resinous substance obtained from a rubiaceous tropical Asian woody climbing plant, Uncaria gambir (or U. gambier): used as an astringent and tonic and in tanning

Word Origin for gambier

C19: from Malay