Also 7 kettule, 9 kettal, (? -ul), kittool. [Cingalese kitūl.]
The jaggery palm, Caryota urens; hence, a strong black fiber obtained from the leaf-stalks of this, used for making ropes, brushes, etc.
1681. R. Knox, Hist. Ceylon, 15. The next Tree is the Kettule. It groweth streight, but not so tall or big as a Coker-Nut-Tree.
1857. R. Tomes, Amer. in Japan, ii. 47. Ceylon abounds in … trees of great utility; among which,… there is the kettul-tree, from the sap of which is produced a coarse sugar.
1866. Treas. Bot., 647. Kittool, Kittul, a Cinghalese name for Caryota urens; also for the strong fibre obtained from its leaf-stalks.
1884. Pub. Opinion, 11 July, 47/1. Ropes made of kitool are used to tether and secure wild elephants…. Kitool fibre is [used] … in the manufacture of brooms and brushes.
