A small North American plant of shady swamps, Coptis trifolia (family Ranunculaceae), which has an astringent root reputed to cure sore mouths; also called goldthread.
Origin
Late 18th century; earliest use found in Manasseh Cutler (1742–1823).
Definition of mouth-root in US English:
mouth-root
noun
US
A small North American plant of shady swamps, Coptis trifolia (family Ranunculaceae), which has an astringent root reputed to cure sore mouths; also called goldthread.
Origin
Late 18th century; earliest use found in Manasseh Cutler (1742–1823).