SG Heritage Dictionary

Japan-earth [Noun] Webster's Dictionary 1828

1. Catechu, a combination of gummy and resinous matter, obtained from the juice of a species of palm tree.

2. JAPAN-EARTH or catechu, is obtained by decoction and evaporation from a species of Mimosa. It consists chiefly of tannin combined with a peculiar species of extractive.

Japan-earth [Verb transitive] Webster's Dictionary 1828

1. To varnish in the manner of the Japanese.

2. To black and gloss, as in blacking shoes or boots.