an edible red seaweed, Chondrus crispus, of North America and N Europe
Also called: Irish moss
Word origin
C19: from Carragheen, near Waterford, Ireland, where it is plentiful
carrageen in American English
(ˈkærəˌgin) or ˈcarraˌgheen (ˈkærəˌgin)
noun
1.
a purplish, edible red algae (Chondrus crispus) found on rocky shores of N Europe and North America; Irish moss: used in jellies, lotions, medicines, etc.
2.
any of several similar red algae (genus Gigartina)