saponin
sa·po·nin
noun \ˈsa-pə-nən, sə-ˈpō-\Definition of SAPONIN
: any of various mostly toxic glucosides that occur in plants (as soapwort or soapbark) and are characterized by the property of producing a soapy lather; especially : a hygroscopic amorphous saponin mixture used especially as a foaming and emulsifying agent and detergent
Origin of SAPONIN
French saponine, from Latin sapon-, sapo
First Known Use: 1831
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