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.
In old candy shops, they used the starch syrup residue as fertilizer or livestock feed.
Standard kanji spelling for the residue from starch syrup production.
Alternate kanji spelling using 滓 (dregs/lees).
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.