What is "letterwood"

Letterwood \Let"ter*wood`\ (-w[oo^]d`), n. (Bot.) The beautiful and highly elastic wood of a tree of the genus Brosimum ( Brosimum Aubletii), found in Guiana; -- so called from black spots in it which bear some resemblance to hieroglyphics; also called snakewood, and leopardwood. It is much used for bows and for walking sticks.

n. (context botany English) The wood of the tree ''Brosimum aubletii'', marked with black spots resembling hieroglyphics.