from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Cocaine \Co"ca*ine\, n. (Chem.)
A powerful narcotic alkaloid, {C17H21NO4}, obtained from the
leaves of coca. It is a bitter, white, crystalline substance,
and is remarkable for producing local insensibility to pain.
It is classified as addictive and is not available in the U.
S. without a prescription, but is nevertheless one of the
most widespread illegal drugs of abuse. It is used in several
forms, including small pellets of free base, called {crack}.
Most of the cacaine illegally used in the U.S. is imported.
[1913 Webster +PJC]