Emily Dickinson Lexicon

IN'DI-GO, a. [L. indicum, from India; Fr. It. and Sp. indigo.]

A substance or dye, prepared from the leaves and stalks of the indigo plant, which are steeped in water till the pulp is extracted, when the liquor is drawn off and churned or agitated, till the dye begins to granulate. The flakes are then left to settle; the liquor is again drawn off, and the indigo is drained in bags and dried in boxes. It is used for dyeing blue. Edwards, W. Ind.