Definition of saponin
: any of various mostly toxic glucosides that occur in plants (such 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
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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Time Traveler for saponin
The first known use of saponin was in 1831
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