Emily Dickinson Lexicon

MY-ROB'A-LAN, n. [L. myrobolanum; Gr. μυροβαλανος; μυρον, unguent, and βαλανος, a nut.]

A dried fruit which is a drupe, brought from the East Indies, of which there are several sorts, all slightly purgative and astringent, but not now used in medicine. They are the produce of several species of Terminalia, and of one species at least of Phyllanthus. The term Myrobalan then comprehends several different fruits. Parr. Encyc.