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tragacanth

Pronunciation: /ˈtragəkanθ/

(also gum tragacanth)

Definition of tragacanth

noun

[mass noun]

a white or reddish plant gum, used in the food, textile, and pharmaceutical industries.
- This gum is obtained from plants of the genus Astragalus, family Leguminosae, in particular the Eurasian A. gummifer

Origin:

late 16th century: from French tragacante, via Latin from Greek tragakantha 'goat's thorn', from tragos 'goat' (because it is browsed by goats) + akantha 'thorn' (referring to the shrub's spines)