Word Study
balsa
CIDE DICTIONARY
balsa, n. [Sp. or Pg. balsa.].
A raft or float, used principally on the Pacific coast of South America. [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
balsa, n.
1 (in full balsa-wood) a type of tough lightweight wood used for making models etc.
2 the tropical American tree, Ochroma lagopus, from which it comes.
1 (in full balsa-wood) a type of tough lightweight wood used for making models etc.
2 the tropical American tree, Ochroma lagopus, from which it comes.
Etymology
Sp., = raft
For further exploring for "balsa" in Webster Dictionary Online