Quassia \Quas"si*a\, n. [NL. From the name of a negro, Quassy, or Quash, who prescribed this article as a specific.] The wood of several tropical American trees of the order {Simarube[ae]}, as {Quassia amara}, {Picr[ae]na excelsa}, and {Simaruba amara}. It is intensely bitter, and is used in medicine and sometimes as a substitute for hops in making beer. [1913 Webster]
Stavewood \Stave"wood`\ (st[=a]v"w[oo^]d`), n. (Bot.) A tall tree ({Simaruba amara}) growing in tropical America. It is one of the trees which yields quassia. [1913 Webster]