/zan"theuhn/ , n. Nutrition.
a water-soluble natural gum produced by the fermentation of sugar with certain microorganisms and used as a binder, extender, or stabilizer in foods and other products. Also called xanthan gum .
[ 1960-65; prob. Xanth ( omonas campestris ) bacterium which produces the gum + -an, var. of -ANE ]