bois d'arc

noun

ˈbō-ˌdä(r)k How to pronounce bois d'arc (audio)
 dialectal also  ˈbwä-,
ˈbȯr-
plural bois d'arcs or bois d'arc
: osage orange
also : its wood

Word History

Etymology

American French, literally, bow wood

First Known Use

1805, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bois d'arc was in 1805

Dictionary Entries Near bois d'arc

Cite this Entry

“Bois d'arc.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bois%20d%27arc. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on bois d'arc

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!