ˈjaləp, ˈjäl- noun
( -s )
Etymology: French & Spanish; French jalop, from Spanish jalapa, from Jalapa, town in Mexico
1. also ja·la·pa jəˈläpə, həˈ-
a. : the dried purgative tuberous root of a Mexican plant ( Exogonium purga ) or the powdered drug prepared from it that contains the resinous glycosides convolvulin and jalapin and is the officinal jalap — compare jicama
b. : the root or derived drug of related plants constituting an inferior source of the jalap resins
2. : any of various plants yielding jalap