sal I. \ˈsal\noun (-s) Etymology: Latin — more at salt : salt — usually used in combination < sal ammoniac > II. \ˈsäl\noun (-s) Etymology: Hindi sāl, from Sanskrit śāla 1.orsal tree: an East Indian timber tree (Shorea robusta) having foliage which furnishes food for lac insects 2.: the light brown close-grained hard wood of the sal tree