JAPAN-EARTH, noun Catechu, a combination of gummy and resinous matter, obtained from the juice of a species of palm tree. JAPAN-EARTH or catechu, is obtained by decoction and evaporation from a species of Mimosa. It consists chiefly of tannin combined with a peculiar species of extractive. JAPAN', verb transitive To varnish in the manner of the Japanese. 1. To black and gloss, as in blacking shoes or boots.
Source: Webster's 1828 American Dictionary ↗ · public-domain · returned verbatim, no AI