gossypol

(gäs′ə pôl, -pōl′)

noun

a toxic, phenolic pigment, CHO, in cotton plants: it inhibits sperm production and is used experimentally as a male contraceptive

Origin: Ger < ModL Gossypium, genus name of cotton + -ol, -ol

See gossypol in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

A toxic pigment, C₃₀H₃₀O₈, obtained from cottonseed oil and detoxified by heating, that has been experimentally shown to inhibit sperm production.

Origin:

Origin: New Latin Gossypium, genus name (from Latin gossypion, cotton plant)

Origin: + -ol¹

Learn more about gossypol

gossypol medical definition

link/cite print suggestion box

More from YD