The Collaborative International Dictionary
Ecballium agreste
Elaterium \El`a*te"ri*um\, n. [L., fr. Gr. ?, neut. of ? driving. See 2d Elater.] A cathartic substance obtained, in the form of yellowish or greenish cakes, as the dried residue of the juice of the wild or squirting cucumber ( Ecballium agreste, formerly called Momordica Elaterium).
Ecballium agreste
Elater \El"a*ter\, n. (Chem.) The active principle of elaterium, being found in the juice of the wild or squirting cucumber ( Ecballium agreste, formerly Motordica Elaterium) and other related species. It is extracted as a bitter, white, crystalline substance, which is a violent purgative.