Dogwood \Dog"wood`\ (-w[oo^]d`), n. [So named from skewers (dags) being made of it. Dr. Prior. See Dag, and Dagger.]

(Bot.) The Cornus, a genus of large shrubs or small trees, the wood of which is exceedingly hard, and serviceable for many purposes.

Note: There are several species, one of which, Cornus mascula, called also cornelian cherry, bears a red acid berry. C. florida is the flowering dogwood, a small American tree with very showy blossoms.

Dogwood tree.
   (a) The dogwood or Cornus.
   (b) A papilionaceous tree (Piscidia erythrina) growing in Jamaica. It has narcotic properties; -- called also Jamaica dogwood.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)