ipecac /ˈɪp.ɪ.kæk/ noun3 •The dried rhizome and roots of either of two tropical American plants (Cephaelis acuminata and Cephaelis ipecacuanha) of the madder family used especially as a source of emetine. •An emetic and expectorant drug that contains emetine and is prepared from ipecac especially as a syrup for use in treating accidental poisoning. •The shrub that produces ipecac (Cephaelis ipecacuanha), native to Brazil and cultivated elsewhere. formsipecacs