: a Eurasian herb (Rubia tinctorum of the family Rubiaceae, the madder family) with whorled leaves and small yellowish panicled flowers succeeded by dark berries
broadly: any of several related herbs (genus Rubia)
2
a
: the root of the Eurasian madder used formerly in dyeing
also: an alizarin dye prepared from it
b
: a moderate to strong red
Illustration of madder
madder 1
Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Old English mædere; akin to Old High German matara madder
First Known Use
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of madder was before the 12th century