dogwood

 
Pronunciation: /ˈdɒgwʊd/

noun

  • a shrub or small tree of north temperate regions, which yields hard timber and is grown for its decorative foliage, red stems, or colourful berries.
    • Genus Cornus, family Cornaceae: many species
  • used in names of trees which resemble the dogwood or yield similar hard timber.

Origin:

so named because the wood was formerly used to make ‘dogs’ (i.e. skewers)