ˈbərbərə̇s noun
Etymology: New Latin, alteration of Medieval Latin barbaris barberry, from Arabic barbārīs
1. capitalized : a large genus of shrubs (family Berberidaceae) natives of the north temperate zone and of the Andes to Tierra del Fuego having prickly stems and yellow flowers succeeded by red berries — see barberry
2. -es : the dried rhizome and roots of certain barberries of the genus Mahonia that contain the alkaloids berberine, oxyacanthine, and berbamine — called also Oregon graperoot