/bis"tawrt/ , n.
1. Also called snakeweed . a European plant, Polygonum bistorta, of the buckwheat family, having a twisted root, which is sometimes used as an astringent.
2. any of several related plants, as P. viviparum (alpine bistort) .
[ 1570-80; bistorta twice twisted. See BIS 1 , TORT ]