colicroot

[ kol-ik-root, -root ]

noun

1. either of two North American plants, Aletris farinosa or A. aurea, of the lily family, having small yellow or white flowers in a spikelike cluster and a root reputed to relieve colic.
2. any of certain other plants having roots root reputed to cure colic.
3. the blazing star, Liatris squarrosa.

colicroot

/ ˈkɒlɪkˌruːt /

noun

1. either of two North American liliaceous plants, Aletris farinosa or A. aurea, having tubular white or yellow flowers and a bitter root formerly used to relieve colic
2. any of various other plants formerly used to relieve colic

Word History and Origins

Origin of colicroot¹

An Americanism dating back to 1830–40; colic + root ¹

Example Sentences

Other Common Names — Dioscorea, colicroot, rheumatism-root, devil's bones.

From Project Gutenberg