Emily Dickinson Lexicon

AR'ROW-ROOT, n.

1. The Maranta; a genus of plants, natives of the Indies. The Indians are said to employ the roots of the Arundinacea, in extracting the virus of poisoned arrows; whence the name. There are several species. From the root of the Arundinacea, or starch-plant, is obtained the arrow-root of the shops. – Encyc.
2. The starch of the Marant, or arrow-root, a nutritive medicinal food.