from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Saponin \Sap"o*nin\, n. [L. sapo, -onis soap: cf. F. saponine.]
(Chem.)
A poisonous glucoside found in many plants, as in the root of
soapwort ({Saponaria officinalis}), in the bark of soap bark
({Quillaja saponaria}), etc. It is extracted as a white
amorphous powder, which produces a soapy lather in solution,
and produces a local anaesthesia. It is used as a detergent
and for emulsifying oils. Formerly called also {struthiin},
{quillaiin}, {senegin}, {polygalic acid}, etc. By extension,
any one of a group of related bodies of which saponin proper
is the type.
[1913 Webster + PJC]