aloe

Etymology

From Old English alwe (“fragrant resin of an East Indian tree”), from Latin aloē, from Ancient Greek ἀλόη (alóē), from Hebrew אָהָל (ʾāhāl), ultimately from Tamil அகில் (akil); reinforced in Middle English by Old French aloes.

noun

1. (in the plural) The resins of the tree Aquilaria malaccensis (syn. Aquilaria agallocha), known for their fragrant aroma, produced after infection by the fungus Phialophora parasitica.
2. Any plant of the large and variable genus Aloe.
   1885 Ferdinand von Mueller: Select Extra-tropical Plants, Readily Eligible For Industrial Culture Or Naturalization. pub: Melbourne: J. Ferres Aloe ferox, Miller. South-Africa. This species yields the best Cape-aloes, as observed by Dr. Pappe. The simply inspissated juice of the leaves of the various species of the genus constitutes the aloe-drug. It is best obtained by using neither heat nor pressure for extracting the sap. By re-dissolving the aqueous part of Aloes in cold water, and reducing the liquid through boiling or other processes of exsiccation to dryness, the extract of aloes is prepared. The bitter sap, used for dressing wounds, keeps off flies very effectually. It deserves introduction particularly in veterinary practice.
3. Misnomer for any large, vaguely aloe-like plant, such as Agave
4. A strong, bitter drink made from the juice of such plants, used as a purgative.