noun
starch syrup residue; candy dregs
Rare term for the solid byproduct left after extracting starch syrup (水飴) from grains or sweet potatoes. Mostly encountered in historical or technical contexts about traditional confectionery.
昔の飴屋では、飴粕を肥料や家畜の餌に使っていた。
In old candy shops, they used the starch syrup residue as fertilizer or livestock feed.
Compound of 飴 (あめ, 'candy' or 'starch syrup') and 粕 (かす, 'lees' or 'dregs'). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the word transparently describes the leftover solids from syrup extraction.