1. The exterior covering of the trunk and branches of a tree; the rind.

2. Specifically, Peruvian bark. Bark bed. See Bark stove (below). Bark pit, a pit filled with bark and water, in which hides are steeped in tanning.

<botany> Bark stove, a glazed structure for keeping tropical plants, having a bed of tanner's bark (called a bark bed) or other fermentable matter which produces a moist heat.

Origin: Akin to Dan. & Sw. Bark, Icel. Borkr, LG. & HG. Borke.

(01 Mar 1998)