a dock, Rumex hymenosepalus, of the southern US, the root of which yields a substance used in tanning
Word origin
C19: from Mexican Spanish
canaigre in American English
(kəˈnaiɡri)
noun
a plant, Rumex hymenosepalus, of the buckwheat family, found from Oklahoma to California, having clustered, tuberous roots that yield tannin
Word origin
[1875–80, Amer.; ‹ MexSp]This word is first recorded in the period 1875–80. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: hat trick, massage, overdraft, pressure point, slime mold