Jāl'ap, n.

n. [Fr. jalap, Sp., Pg., & N. Lat., jalapa, so called from Jalapa, a town in Mexico, whence it was first imported in 1610.] (Med.) The root of a plant differently classified as Convolvulus purga, Ipomœa purga, and Exogonium purga, found in Mexico. It has little or no taste or smell, but is much used in powder as a cathartic.