Căb'baġe-tree, n.

n. (Bot.) A species of palm (Euterpe montana of some botanists, and Areca oleracea of others) found in the West Indies and adjacent parts of South America. It grows with a straight stem to a great height; the green top of the trunk is formed by the sheaths of the leaves a foot and a half in length. The inhabitants cut off this top, take out the white heart or terminal bud, consisting of the leaves closely folded together, much like a cabbage, and use it for food; it is of a sweetish taste and nourishing. Baird.