strychnine

 
Pronunciation: /ˈstrɪkniːn, -ɪn/

noun

[mass noun]
  • a bitter and highly poisonous compound obtained from nux vomica and related plants. An alkaloid, it has occasionally been used as a stimulant.

Origin:

early 19th century: from French, via Latin from Greek strukhnos, denoting a kind of nightshade