carrageen, -gheen
(ˈkærəgiːn)
Properly Carragheen moss.
[From Carragheen near Waterford in Ireland, where it grows abundantly.]
A kind of seaweed (Chondrus crispus), also called Irish moss, common on the British coasts, of a cartilaginous texture and a purplish colour, becoming yellowish-white when dried. It yields on boiling a nutritive demulcent jelly, used for food and in medicine. Introduced into medical use by Mr. Todhunter of Dublin. (See Reece's Monthly Gazette of Health, Jan. 1831.)
| 1834 E. Copley Housekpr's Guide 57 Carraghan moss..in the time of the dreadful destitution in Ireland, in 1831, was the means of preserving many families from starving. 1837 M. Donovan Dom. Econ. II. 323 Carrageen, commonly called Irish moss, introduced from Ireland as an article of food within the last ten years. 1841 Penny Cycl. XXI. 156 Carrageen moss..is frequently employed instead of isinglass for the manufacture of blanc-mange and jellies. |
Hence carraˈgeenin (Chem.), the form of pectin found in Carragheen.