Forms: 7 brasiletta, brazilette, 7–8 brazel(l)etto, 8 brazil(l)etta, 9 brazilletto, 7– brasiletto, 8– braziletto. [? ad. Sp., Pg. brasilete ‘Jamaica-wood,’ dim. of brasil, BRAZIL-(wood).] One or more species of dye-wood, inferior to Brazil-wood, imported from Jamaica and adjacent islands (Cæsalpinia brasiliensis and crista; now generally referred to a distinct genus Peltophorum).
1656. Cromwell’s Bk. Rates, Woods, Brazeletto or Jamaica wood.
1661. Hickeringill, Jamaica, 22. Abundant plenty of choice Timber trees and Wood for the Dyer’s use, as Fustick, Brasiletta.
1686. Lond. Gaz., No. 2186/1. 12 thousand pounds of Brazilette wood.
1725. Sloane, Jamaica, II. 184. Brasiletto-wood is very like Log-wood…. It grows in Jamaica.
1782. P. H. Bruce, Mem., XII. 418. Two negroes … who were at work for their master in the woods, cutting brazilletta, and being ill used by an overseer appointed by Mr. Scott, one of them fired a fowling-piece at the overseer, and lodged some shot in his shoulder; for which he was hanged, and his innocent companion was also hanged, to bear him company.
1789. Act 27 Geo. III., xiii. Sched. s.v. Wood, Brazilletto or Jamaica Wood for dyers.
1868. Treas. Bot., 858. Peltophorum Linnæi, otherwise called Cæsalpinia brasiliensis yields the orange-coloured dyewood … Braziletto-wood. The wood of P. Vogelianum, which is a native of Brazil, is also called Braziletto or Sobrazil.
1884. Miller, Plant-n., Cæsalpinia crista, Bahama Braziletto.
