a crystalline acid, CHOHCOOH, found in sugar cane or prepared by the oxidation of glycol
See glycolic acid in American Heritage Dictionary 4
(glī-kŏlˈĭk)
noun
A colorless crystalline compound, C2H4O3, found in sugar beets, cane sugar, and unripe grapes that is used in leather dyeing and tanning and in pharmaceuticals, pesticides, adhesives, and plasticizers.