bois d'arc

noun

ˈbō-ˌdä(r)k

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

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Bois d'arc.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bois%20d%27arc. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.

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