Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - pigment

 I. noun  Etymology: Middle English, spice, dye, from Latin ~um coloring substance, from pingere to paint — more at paint  Date: 14th century  1. a substance that imparts black or white or a color to other materials; especially a powdered substance that is mixed with a liquid in which it is relatively insoluble and used especially to impart color to coating materials (as paints) or to inks, plastics, and rubber  2. a coloring matter in animals and plants especially in a cell or tissue; also any of various related colorless substances  • ~ary adjective  II. transitive verb  Date: 1900 to color with or as if with ~