ˈdragon-root
† 1. The root of dragonwort or dragons. Obs.
| 1621 Burton Anat. Mel. ii. iv. ii. ii, These are very gentle [purgers], alyppus, dragon root, centaury, ditany. |
2. In U.S. applied to the tuberous roots of various species of Arisæma; also to the plants themselves.
| 1866 Treas. Bot. s.v. Arisæma, The Dragon-root, or Indian turnip of America, is the tuber of A. atrorubens, which furnishes a kind of starch. Ibid. 427 Dragon Root, Arisæma atrorubens; also..Arisæma Dracontium. 1889 Chambers' Encycl. s.v., Dragon-root..of which the acrid tuber is applied to various uses in domestic medicine. |