Caout"chouc (?), n. [F.
caoutchouc, from the South American name.] A
tenacious, elastic, gummy substance obtained from the milky sap
of several plants of tropical South America (esp. the
euphorbiaceous tree Siphonia elastica or Hevea
caoutchouc), Asia, and Africa. Being impermeable to liquids
and gases, and not readly affected by exposure to air, acids, and
alkalies, it is used, especially when vulcanized, for many
purposes in the arts and in manufactures. Also called India
rubber (because it was first brought from India, and was
formerly used chiefly for erasing pencil marks) and gum
elastic. See Vulcanization.
Mineral caoutchouc. See under
Mineral.