noun
- A tropical West African tree (Baphia nitida) or its hard, reddish wood, used for dyeing and woodworking.
Usage: Usually used in plural or as a mass noun; Also called camwood or barwood; Primarily a historical or specialized term in forestry and textile industries
Examples
- The dyers imported camwoods from West Africa to produce rich red pigments.
- Camwoods were valued in colonial trade for their distinctive color and durability.
- The furniture maker selected camwoods for its hardness and attractive grain.
- Traditional textile artisans still use extracts from camwoods for natural dyes.