Baru, a fine woolly substance found at the base of the leaves of the Saguerus saccharifer (also called Arenca saccharifera), one of the sago-palms of the Indian Archipelago. It is employed in calking ships, in stuffing cushions, and for other similar purposes.
Baru
Chambers's Encyclopaedia, Volume 1: A to Beaufort, p. 767
Source scan(s): p. 0794