/kol"ik rooht', -root'/ , n.
1. either of two North American plants, Aletris farinosa or A. aurea, of the lily family, having small yellow or white flowers in a spikelike cluster and a root reputed to relieve colic.
2. any of certain other plants having roots reputed to cure colic.
3. the blazing star, Liatris squarrosa.
[ 1830-40, Amer.; COLIC + ROOT 1 ]