colocynth
nounUK /ˈkɒ.lə.sɪnθ/ · US /ˈkɑ.lə.sɪnθ/
Etymology From Latin colocynthis, from Ancient Greek κολοκυνθίς (kolokunthís), ultimately Pre-Greek.
1
A viny plant, of species Citrullus colocynthis, native to the Mediterranean Basin and Asia. It produces a lemon-sized, yellowish, green-mottled, spongy, and extremely bitter fruit.
2
The powdered pulp of this fruit, a powerful hepatic stimulant and hydragogue cathartic used as a strong laxative.
- Synonyms
- bitter apple, bitter cucumber, bitter melon, egusi, vine of Sodom, desert gourd
- Derived terms
- colocynthin