sapogenin
noun
sa·po·ge·nin ˌsa-pə-ˈje-nən 
sə-ˈpä-jə-nən
: a nonsugar portion of a saponin that is typically obtained by hydrolysis, has either a complex terpenoid or a steroidal structure, and in the latter case forms a practicable starting point in the synthesis of steroid hormones
Word History
Etymology
International Scientific Vocabulary saponin + -genin (compound formed from another compound)
First Known Use
circa 1862, in the meaning defined above
Medical Definition
sapogenin
noun
sa·po·ge·nin ˌsap-ə-ˈjen-ən sə-ˈpäj-ə-nən
sə-ˈpäj-ə-nən : a nonsugar portion of a saponin that is typically obtained by hydrolysis, has either a complex terpenoid or a steroid structure and in the latter case forms a practicable starting point in the synthesis of steroid hormones