Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary · 1913

Letterwood

Letterwood (-wod`) , noun

(Botany) The beautiful and highly elastic wood of a tree of the genus Brosimum (Brosimum Aubletii), found in Guiana; -- so called from black spots in it which bear some resemblance to hieroglyphics; also called snakewood, and leopardwood. It is much used for bows and for walking sticks.