Astringent /(-jent)/
As·trin·gent
Astringent
a.
- Drawing together the tissues; binding; contracting; -- opposed to laxative; as, astringent medicines; a butter and astringent taste; astringent fruit.
- Stern; austere; as, an astringent type of virtue.
Astringent
n.
-
A medicine or other substance that produces contraction in the soft organic textures, and checks discharges of blood, mucus, etc.
External astringents are called styptics.