Dyestuff
/ˈdaɪˌstʌf/noun
A substance used for dyeing textiles or other materials.
Did you know?Although it sounds ancient, "dyestuff" is a relatively modern English compound, built from the old word "dye" plus "stuff," and it reflects the industrial age’s obsession with naming raw materials precisely.
Etymological Timeline
Old English
OE
dēag
“dye, colorant”
Old English
OE
stoff
“material, substance”
Middle English
ME
dye stuff
“material used for dyeing”
19th Century
English
dyestuff
“a substance used in dyeing”
Modern English
English
dyestuff
“a dye or coloring substance”