[ar.row.root] n (1696) 1 a: any of a genus (Maranta of the family Marantaceae, the arrowroot family) of tropical American plants with tuberous roots; esp: one (M. arundinacea) whose roots yield an easily digested edible starch b: any of several plants (as coontie) that yield starch
2: starch yielded by an arrowroot