Colocynth, n. [L. colocynthis, Gr. . Cf. Coloquintida.].
The light spongy pulp of the fruit of the bitter cucumber (Citrullus colocynthis, orCucumis colocynthis), an Asiatic plant allied to the watermelon; coloquintida. It comes in white balls, is intensely bitter, and a powerful cathartic. Called also bitter apple, bitter cucumber, bitter gourd. [1913 Webster]
Colocynth, n. (also coloquintida)
1 a a plant of the gourd family, Citrullus colocynthis, bearing a pulpy fruit. b this fruit.
2 a bitter purgative drug obtained from the fruit.