1670s, "the wood of a tree native to the West Indies and Central America," noted for its rich reddish-brown color, soundness, uniformity, durability, and ability to take a high polish, from Spanish mahogani, of unknown origin; perhaps from the tree's native name in Maya (Honduras). As the name of the tree itself, by 1759. As an adjective from 1730; as a color name from 1737.