Agaric

agaric
    n 1: fungus used in the preparation of punk for fuses [syn:
         {agaric}, {Fomes igniarius}]
    2: a saprophytic fungus of the order Agaricales having an
       umbrellalike cap with gills on the underside
    

Agaric \Ag"a*ric\ (?; 277), n. [L. agaricum, Gr. ?, said to be
   fr. Agara, a town in Sarmatia.]
   1. (Bot.) A fungus of the genus {Agaricus}, of many species,
      of which the common mushroom is an example.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. An old name for several species of {Polyporus}, corky
      fungi growing on decaying wood.
      [1913 Webster]

   Note: The "female agaric" ({Polyporus officinalis}) was
         renowned as a cathartic; the "male agaric" ({Polyporus
         igniarius}) is used for preparing touchwood, called
         punk or German tinder.
         [1913 Webster]

   {Agaric mineral}, a light, chalky deposit of carbonate of
      lime, sometimes called {rock milk}, formed in caverns or
      fissures of limestone.
      [1913 Webster]