ˈcow-tree
[transl. Pg. palo de vaca.]
1. A South American tree, Brosimum Galactodendron (called by Humboldt G. utile), family Artocarpaceæ, abounding in a juice closely resembling the milk of the cow both in appearance and quality, which is obtained by incision into the trunk, and is an important article of food.
| 1830 Lindley Nat. Syst. Bot. 95 The famous Cow Tree..of South America, which yields a copious supply of a rich and wholesome milk. 1866 Treas. Bot. 171 The Cow-tree..yields a milk of as good quality as that from the cow. |
2. Subsequently applied to other trees yielding a milky juice; e.g. the cow-tree of Para, Mimusops elata, family Sapotaceæ; of British Guyana, Tabernæmontana utilis.
| 1863 Bates Nat. Amazon ii. (1864) 38 The Massaranduba, or Cow-tree..producing from its bark a copious supply of milk as pleasant to drink as that of the cow. |