papain Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a proteolytic enzyme obtained from the unripe papaya; used as a meat tenderizer

WordNet

Pa*pa"in noun
Etymology
From Papaw.
Definitions
  1. (Physiol. Chem.) A proteolytic ferment, like trypsin, present in the juice of the green fruit of the papaw (Carica Papaya) of tropical America.

Webster 1913