The Collaborative International Dictionary
Spicewood \Spice"wood`\, n. (Bot.) An American shrub ( Lindera Benzoin), the bark of which has a spicy taste and odor; -- called also Benjamin, wild allspice, and fever bush.
Allspice \All"spice`\, n. The berry of the pimento ( Eugenia pimenta), a tree of the West Indies; a spice of a mildly pungent taste, and agreeably aromatic; Jamaica pepper; pimento. It has been supposed to combine the flavor of cinnamon, nutmegs, and cloves; and hence the name. The name is also given to other aromatic shrubs; as, the Carolina allspice ( Calycanthus floridus); wild allspice ( Lindera benzoin), called also spicebush, spicewood, and feverbush.
Usage examples of "wild allspice".
The powdered berries of this American plant, a member of the natural order Lauracece, Lindera Benzoin, occurring in damp woods throughout the Eastern and Central States, were used during the War of Independence by the Americans as a substitute for Allspice and its leaves as a substitute for tea, hence the plant was often called 'Wild Allspice.