sinigrin

[ sin-i-grin ]

noun

, Chemistry.

1. a glucosinolate found in certain plants of the mustard family, including black mustard, broccoli, Brussels sprout, and horseradish: the pungent taste and aroma released from the crushed sinigrin-rich seeds or plant tissue are valued as insect deterrents as well as culinary enhancers.

Word History and Origins

Origin of sinigrin¹

First recorded in 1875–80; from New Latin Sin(āpis n)igra, a former taxonomic name for black mustard (from Latin sināpis “mustard”) + nigra, feminine singular adjective of niger “black”) + -in sinapine, Negro ) + -in ²