Hobson-Jobson: A Glossary of Colloquial Anglo-Indian Words and Phrases, and of Kindred Terms, Etymological, Historical, Geographical and Discursive c10.9222

c10.9222

MARGOSA, s. A name in the S. of India and Ceylon for the Nim (see NEEM) tree. The word is a corruption of Port. *amargosa*, 'bitter,' indicating the character of the tree. This gives rise to an old Indian proverb, traceable as far back as the Jātakas, that you cannot sweeten the nīm tree though you water it with syrup and ghee (*Naturam expellas furcâ, &c.*).