ˈ ̷ ̷(ˌ) ̷ ̷+ˌ ̷ ̷ noun
Etymology: probably so called from its use by American Indians to heal wounds from poisoned arrows
1.
a. : a tropical American plant of the genus Maranta (as the widely cultivated M. arundinacea )
b. : a plant or root yielding arrowroot starch
2.
a. : a nutritive starch obtained from the rootstock of the arrowroot ( M. arundinacea ) that is used especially in foods prepared for children and invalids
b. : any of various starches used as substitutes for arrowroot and obtained from other plants of the genus Maranta or from plants of other genera (as Zamia, Curcuma, Tacca, Canna, and Musa ) — see portland arrowroot