[f. CHAW v. + STICK.] A species of Gouania (G. domingensis, N.O. Rhamnaceæ), a common creeper in the West Indies and Brazil, so called in Jamaica because its thin flexible stems are chewed as an agreeable stomachic.
1756. P. Browne, Jamaica, 172–3. The Chaw-stick … is generally kept to rub and clean the teeth.
1866. Treas. Bot., 545. Tooth-brushes are made by cutting pieces of chaw-stick to a convenient length, and fraying out the ends.
