AR'ROW-ROOT, noun 1. The Maranta; a genus of plants, natives of the Indies. The Indians are said to employ the roots of the arundinacea, in extracting the virus of poisoned arrows; whence the name. There are several species. From the root of the arundinacea, or starch-plant, is obtained the arrow-root of the shops. 2. The starch of the maranta, or arrow-root a nutritive medicinal food.
Source: Webster's 1828 American Dictionary ↗ · public-domain · returned verbatim, no AI