Gambier \Gam"bier\, n. [Malayan.] (a) The inspissated juice of a plant ({Uncaria Gambir}) growing in Malacca. It is a powerful astringent, and, under the name of {Terra Japonica}, is used for chewing with the Areca nut, and is exported for tanning and dyeing. (b) Catechu. [Written also {gambeer} and {gambir}.]
Catechu \Cat"e*chu\, n. [See {Cashoo}.] (Chem.) A dry, brown, astringent extract, obtained by decoction and evaporation from the {Acacia catechu}, and several other plants growing in India. It contains a large portion of tannin or tannic acid, and is used in medicine and in the arts. It is also known by the names {terra japonica}, {cutch}, {gambier}, etc. --Ure. --Dunglison.