1. a West Indian shrub from which indigo dye is obtained
2. a blue dye obtained from the anil plant, used in textiles and other products

Examples

• The anil plant was cultivated in tropical regions for centuries.
• Indigo dye extracted from anil was highly valued in the textile industry.
• Colonial traders exported anil to Europe in large quantities.
• The deep blue color of anil dye made it popular for dyeing fabrics.
• Anil was one of the most important cash crops in the Caribbean during the 18th century.