Definition of: rhatany

(rat′ə·nē) noun
1. Either of two perennial, shrubby South American plants of the pea family (genus Krameria), the Peruvian rhatany (K. triandra) or the Brazilian rhatany (K. argentea), whose dried roots are used in medicine.
2. The roots of these plants, or medicinal substances prepared from them. Also spelled ratany. [<NL <Sp. ratania <Quechua]