tonka bean Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun fragrant black nutlike seeds of the tonka bean tree; used in perfumes and medicines and as a substitute for vanilla
    coumara nut.
  2. noun tall tropical South American tree having pulpy egg-shaped pods of fragrant black almond-shaped seeds used for flavoring
    Dipteryx odorata; tonka bean tree; Coumarouna odorata.

WordNet

Ton"ka bean`
Etymology
Cf. F. onca, tonka.
Definitions
  1. (Bot.) The seed of a leguminous tree (Dipteryx odorata), native of Guiana. It has a peculiarly agreeable smell, and is employed in the scenting of snuff. Called also tiononquin bean. Written also tonca bean, tonga bean.

Webster 1913