Soapberry
/ˈsoʊpˌbɛri/noun
The fruit of certain trees or shrubs whose pulp contains natural saponins that produce a soapy lather in water.
Did you know?Soapberries contain saponins, natural surfactants that foam in water and have been used traditionally for washing clothing, hair, and household objects.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Germanic, before 500 CE
Proto-Germanic
*saipō
“A dripping or oily substance used as a cleansing material; the likely Germanic source of soap”
1st–4th Century
Latin
sāpō
“Soap; a Germanic loanword recorded by Roman writers”
Old English, before 1100
Old English
sāpe
“Soap, a cleansing substance”
Old English, before 1100
Old English
berie
“Berry or small edible fruit”
17th–18th Century
English
soapberry
“A berry or fruit recognized for producing a soap-like lather”
Modern English
English
soapberry
“The fruit of Sapindus and related plants, valued for its naturally foaming saponins”
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