‖ pichurim
(ˈpɪtʃərɪm)
The native name of a lauraceous South American tree, Nectandra Puchury (Laurus Pichurim of Richard).
Hence pichurim bean, the aromatic cotyledon of the seed of this tree, used in cookery and medicinally; pichurim camphor, see quot.; pichurim oil, a yellowish-green odorous oil obtained from pichurim beans.
| 1842 Brande Dict. Sc., etc., Pichurim bean, an oblong heavy seed brought from Brazil, and used medicinally in the cure of colic. 1866 Watts Dict. Chem. IV. 636 Pichurim-oil. Pichurim beans,..yield by distillation with water, a yellow oil, smelling like bay and sassafras oil. Ibid. 637 Pichurim-camphor..Pichurim-oil is resolved by cold alcohol into a strong-smelling elæoptene and a nearly inodorous camphor. |