crude soda ash, formerly used in glassmaking and obtained by burning various saltworts and related plants (genera Salsola and Halogeton) native to the Mediterranean area
Origin:
Sp barrilla < Galician baril, very good < Ar bariʾ, free, healthy
See barilla in American Heritage Dictionary 4
noun
Either of two Mediterranean saltworts (Salsola kali or S. soda) or a similar plant (Halogeton sativus), burned to obtain a crude soda ash.
The crude sodium carbonate ash obtained from these plants.