Punk is the same as “touchwood.”
a. 1707. As the East-Indians use Moxa [in blistering] so these burn with Punk, which is the inwart Part of the Excrescence or Exuberance of Oak.—J. Clayton, ‘Virginia,’ in Phil. Trans., xli. 149. (N.E.D.)
1789. Their proneness to fight like punk, whenever you attempt to steal their victuals.—American Museum, v. 298/1 (March).
1792. They [the Indians] raised a blister by burning punk or touchwood on the skin.—Jeremy Belknap, ‘New Hampshire,’ iii. 94. (Italics in the original.)
1803. Even in New-England, there is some timber so punky that the French saw might easily pass through it, particularly the little State of Rhode-Island.—The Balance, March 8, p. 75/3. (Italics in the original.)
1821. They made a fire with the aid of a flint … and some punk; a substance, formed by a partial decomposition of the heart of the maple tree; which easily catches, and long retains, even the slightest spark.—T. Dwight, ‘Travels,’ ii. 197.
1876. The fire is punky, and only smokes.—H. Bushnell, ‘Life and Letters’ (1880), p. 210. (N.E.D.)
