turpeth
noun
tur·peth
ˈtərpə̇th
plural -s
1
: the root of a tropical Asiatic and Australian vine (Operculina turpethum) formerly used in medicine as a purgative
also : the plant itself
called also Indian jalap, vegetable turpeth
2
or less commonly turpeth mineral : calomel
Word History
Etymology
alteration (influenced by New Latin turpethum turpeth, from Arabic turbid) of earlier turbith, from Middle English turbit, from Middle French turbit, from Arabic turbid