\Tam"a*rind\, n. [It. tamarindo, or Sp. tamarindo, or
Pg. tamarindo, tamarinho, from Ar. tamarhind[=i], literally,
Indian date; tamar a dried date + Hind India: cf. F. tamarin.
Cf. {Hindu}.] (Bot.)
1. A leguminous tree ({Tamarindus Indica}) cultivated both
   the Indies, and the other tropical countries, for the sake
   of its shade, and for its fruit. The trunk of the tree is
   lofty and large, with wide-spreading branches; the flowers
   are in racemes at the ends of the branches. The leaves are
   small and finely pinnated.
2. One of the preserved seed pods of the tamarind, which
   contain an acid pulp, and are used medicinally and for
   preparing a pleasant drink.
{Tamarind fish}, a preparation of a variety of East Indian
   fish with the acid pulp of the tamarind fruit.
{Velvet tamarind}.
   (a) A West African leguminous tree ({Codarium
       acutifolium}).
   (b) One of the small black velvety pods, which are used
       for food in Sierra Leone.
{Wild tamarind} (Bot.), a name given to certain trees
   somewhat resembling the tamarind, as the {Lysiloma
   latisiliqua} of Southern Florida, and the {Pithecolobium
   filicifolium} of the West Indies.