noun pl. aloes -·oes′

1. any of a large genus (Aloe) of plants of the lily family, native to Africa, with fleshy leaves that are spiny along the edge and with drooping clusters of tubular, red or yellow flowers
2. a bitter, laxative drug made from the juice of certain aloe leaves
3. the aromatic heartwood of several trees of a genus (Aquilaria) of the mezereum family, native to the East Indies and Southeast Asia

Etymology: ME < L < Gr aloē < ? Heb ahalim, pl. of ahal, aloe wood < Sans agaru