{ n., }. [ Etym. uncertain. ] (Bot.) A small scrubby tree (Balanites Ægyptiaca) growing in dry regions of tropical Africa and Asia. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ The hard yellowish white wood is made into plows in Abyssinia; the bark is used in Farther India to stupefy fish; the ripe fruit is edible, when green it is an anthelmintic; the fermented juice is used as a beverage; the seeds yield a medicinal oil called zachun. The African name of the tree is hajilij. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]