tragacanth
/ˈtraɡəkanθ
/(also gum 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.
- Similar vegetable gums, with the same possible adverse effects, are carrageenan, gum tragacanth, and carob or locust bean gum.
- Some, such as gum arabic and gum tragacanth, are exuded from the gashed bark of trees.
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).