woads

Noun

woad (usually uncountable, plural woads)

1. (countable, usually) The plant Isatis tinctoria.
   • Woad is one of those plants which yield the deep blue colouring matter so greatly valued in the arts — Indigo.1840, Francis S. Wiggins, The American Farmer's Instructor, Or Practical Agriculturist, page 185

   Synonyms:

   glastum, Isatis tinctoria

2. (countable, uncountable, usually) The blue vat dye made from the leaves of the plant through partial drying and fermentation.
   • To prevent this, it was enacted, that no wines of Gaſcony and Guienne, or woads of Tholouſe, should be imported into England, except in ships belonging to the King, or some of his ſubjects; and that all ſuch wines and woads imported in foreign bottoms ſhould be forfeited.1814, Robert Henry, The History of Great Britain, 5th edition, volume XII, page 309

   Synonyms:

   indigo, indigotin

See all 4 meanings of woad