alligator wood
noun
1The timber of the West Indian tree Guarea glabra (sometimes called G. guidonia; family Meliaceae), which has a musky smell supposedly resembling that of an alligator.
2The fine-grained timber of the tree Liquidambar styraciflua (family Altingiaceae) of North and Central America, used in construction and for making furniture.
Origin
Late 17th century; earliest use found in Hans Sloane (1660–1753), physician and collector.