Mid 19th century; earliest use found in John Lindley (1799–1865), botanist and horticulturist. From scientific Latin Polygala, genus name + -in, probably after German Polygalin.
Definition of polygalin in US English:
polygalin
nounpəˈlɪɡəlɪn
Chemistry rare
= polygalic acid.
Origin
Mid 19th century; earliest use found in John Lindley (1799–1865), botanist and horticulturist. From scientific Latin Polygala, genus name + -in, probably after German Polygalin.