a convolvulaceous plant, Operculina turpethum, of the East Indies, having roots with purgative properties
2.
the root of this plant or the drug obtained from it
Word origin
C14: from Medieval Latin turbithum, ultimately from Arabic turbid
turpeth in American English
(ˈtɜːrpɪθ)
noun
1.
the root of an East Indian plant, Merremia (or Operculina) turpethum, of the morning glory family, formerly used as a purgative
2.
the plant itself
Word origin
[1350–1400; ‹ ML turpethum ‹ Ar turbid ‹ Pers; akin to Skt tripuṭā; r. ME turbit(h)(e) ‹ OF turbit(h) ‹ Ar turbid, as above]This word is first recorded in the period 1350–1400. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: fix, flash, kick, range, train