in botany. See Astragalus.

Gum-tragacanth is the produce of this shrub, which grows to about four feet high, and has a firm and robust stem, with numerous branches. The gum is brought to us in long and slender pieces, of a flatted figure, more or less; and these not straight, or rarely so; but commonly twisted and contorted various ways, so as to resemble worms.

Tragacanth has the same virtues with gum-arabic, but in a greater degree. It greatly inflates and obtunds the acrimony of the humours, and is therefore found of vast service in inveterate coughs, and other disorders of the breast.