catechu (katecho)

[NL. catechu, Sp. ca tecu, F. cachou, etc. (cf. cutch ); of E. Ind. origin. Cf. Hind. katthā, catechu.] A name common to several astringent extracts prepared from the wood, bark, and fruit of various plants. The true catechu, or cutch, of commerce is a dark-brown, hard, and brittle substance, extracted by decoction and evaporation from the wood of Acacia Catechu and A. sum a, East Indian trees. It is one of the best astringents to be found in the materia medic a, and is largely used in tanning, calico-printing, etc. Pale or gambier catechu is obtained from a rubiaceous climber, gambier (see gambier ). A kind of catechu is also made from the nut of the betel-palm, Areca Catechu, but it is not an article of commerce. An artificial catechu, serviceable in dyeing, is obtainable from mahogany and similar woods. Also cashoo.