Main Entry: mad·der

Pronunciation: \ˈma-dər\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English, from Old English mædere; akin to Old High German matara madder

Date: before 12th century

1 : a Eurasian herb (Rubia tinctorum of the family Rubiaceae, the madder family) with whorled leaves and small yellowish panicled flowers succeeded by dark berries; broadly : any of several related herbs (genus Rubia)
2 a : the root of the Eurasian madder used formerly in dyeing; also : an alizarin dye prepared from it b : a moderate to strong red

[madder illustration]