bito

Bi"to, n., Bi"to tree`. [Etym. uncertain.] (Bot.) Defn: A small scrubby tree (Balanites Ægyptiaca) growing in dry regions of tropical Africa and Asia. 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.

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