Dictionary

tonka bean

noun ton·ka bean \ˈtäŋ-kə-\

Definition of TONKA BEAN

:  the coumarin-containing seed of any of several tropical American leguminous trees (genus Dipteryx, especially D. odorata) that is used in perfumes and as an artificial vanilla flavoring; also :  a tree bearing tonka beans
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Origin of TONKA BEAN

Dutch tonka(-boon) & Portuguese (fava-)tonca, perhaps of Cariban origin
First Known Use: 1796
Medical Dictionary

tonka bean

noun ton·ka bean \ˈtäŋ-kə-\

Medical Definition of TONKA BEAN

:  the seed of any of several leguminous trees of the genus Dipteryx that contains coumarin and is used in perfumes and as a flavoring; also :  a tree bearing tonka beans

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