Wōad, n.

n. [A-S. wād, O. Sax. wode, D. weede, Dan. vaid, veid, Sw. vejde, O. H. Ger. weit, wet, N. H. Ger. waid, L. Lat. guasdum, Lat. glastum. Cf. GOUD, OAD, and WELD, WOILD.] [Written also weld, woold, wold, and would.]

1. (Bot.) An herbaceous plant of the genus Isatis, of which one species (I. tinctoria) was formerly cultivated for the blue coloring matter derived from its leaves, but is now used only with indigo as a ferment in the vat.
2. The coloring matter, or the color derived from the plant. “Their bodies most part naked, only painted with woad in sundry figures.” Milton.