ETYM Old Eng. mader, AS. maedere; akin to Icel. mathra.
Eurasian herb having small yellow flowers and red roots formerly an important source of the dye alizarin; SYN. Rubia tinctorum.
Any plant of the genus Rubia of the family Rubiaceae, bearing small funnel-shaped flowers, especially the perennial vine R. tinctorum, the red root of which yields a red dye called alizarin (now made synthetically from coal tar).
Red dye made from brazil wood.

To color a moderate to strong red.