DCHP-1 Online
soapberry 
1 n. a shrub, Shepherdia canadensis, the berries of which have a high saponaceous quality.
See also: buffalo berry soapolallie bush
- 1905 (1954) His account of his case was that for some time the doctor had given him a preparation of "soapberry," next a decoction of "Oregon grape". . . .
- 1957 One little shrub, the Indians' "soopolallie," . . . soap-berry to us, bears its gay red current-like berries now only for the birds to enjoy.
2 n. the edible red berries of this shrub.
See also: bitter berry brue buffalo berry hooshum (berry) soapolallie berry
- 1904 The soap-berries were ripening and most of 'Kwah's people were camped at the mouth of Beaver Creek. . . .
- 1923 In Central British Columbia it [Indian ice cream] was made by working to a lather the dried soap berry.
- 1963 . . . the interior fresh-water Indians . . . readily gave soapberries, kinninnick leaves and bark for smoking, and skins in exchange [for oolachan oil].
- 1905 (1954) His account of his case was that for some time the doctor had given him a preparation of "soapberry," next a decoction of "Oregon grape". . . .