(n) colorless pungent crystalline compound derived from capsicum; source of the hotness of hot peppers of the genus Capsicum such as chili and cayenne and jalapeno
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English (GCIDE) v.0.53 Collaborative International Dictionary (GCIDE)
n. [ From Capsicum. ] (Chem.) A colorless crystalline substance extracted from the Capsicum annuum, and giving off vapors of intense acridity. [ 1913 Webster ]