n.
Pronunciation: ' bis- ˌ to ̇ rt, bis- '
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle French bistorte, from Medieval Latin *bistorta, from Latin bis + torta, feminine of tortus, past participle of torqu ē re to twist ― more at TORTURE
Date: 1578
: any of several polygonums especially : a Eurasian perennial herb ( Polygonum bistorta ) with twisted roots used as astringents