witteboom, noun

/ˈvətəbʊəm//ˈvɪtəbʊəm/
Plurals:
wittebome/ˈvətəˌbʊəmə/, and (formerly) witteboomen.
Origin:
South African Dutch, DutchShow more South African Dutch, from Dutch witte combining form of wit white + boom tree.
The silver tree, Leucadendron argenteum.
[1799 Lady A. Barnard S. Afr. Century Ago (1925) 83Her Ladyship..is soon to present the Regiment with their colours, in which the Whitletomb [sic] (native of this country) is happily blended and united with the Royal Oak.]
1801 J. Barrow Trav. I. 18The Protea argentea, the witteboom, or silver tree of the Dutch.
[1806 Gleanings in Afr. (anon.) 32The silver-tree, which, I believe, is peculiar to the Cape, is so named from its beautiful white foliage; it is generally known by the name of the Whittle Boom.]
1818 C.I. Latrobe Jrnl of Visit 35The foot..of..Table-mountain is well clothed with witteboom (protea argentea).
1822 W.J. Burchell Trav. I. 61Numerous plantations of large Witteboom, or Silver trees.
1857 ‘Hortulanus’ in Cape Monthly Mag. II. Sept. 175Observe the silver-tree, or witte-boom of Table Mountain.
1910 R. Juta Cape Peninsula 62The firs, or pines, who came here last, are creeping,..higher and higher...Year by year the brave little witteboom (white trees) are driven before this strong green army of invaders.
1927 C.G. Botha Social Life in Cape Col. 85Witteboomen..is the name of the well known silver trees found in the Cape Peninsula.
1972 Palmer & Pitman Trees of Sn Afr. I. 493Witteboom..is believed to grow naturally only in the Cape Peninsula.
The silver tree, Leucadendron argenteum.
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Dutch
Wits, nounn.Wit Wolf, noun phrasen. phr.
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