\Ca*shew"\ (k[.a]*sh[=oo]"), n. [F. acajou, for cajou,
prob. from Malay k[=a]yu tree; cf. Pg. acaju, cf. {Acajou}.]
(Bot.)
A tree ({Anacardium occidentale}) of the same family which
the sumac. It is native in tropical America, but is now
naturalized in all tropical countries. Its fruit, a
kidney-shaped nut, grows at the extremity of an edible,
pear-shaped hypocarp, about three inches long.
{Cashew nut}, the large, kidney-shaped fruit of the cashew,
   which is edible after the caustic oil has been expelled
   from the shell by roasting the nut.