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Also called lipstick tree. a small tree, Bixa orellana, of tropical America.
Also, arnatto. a yellowish-red dye obtained from the pulp enclosing the seeds of this tree, used for coloring fabrics, butter, varnish, etc.
Historical Examples

If annatto is present, there will be a reddish-yellow stain on the paper.
Detection of the Common Food Adulterants Edwin M. Bruce

annatto is sometimes added to milk to increase its richness of color.
The Mother and Her Child William S. Sadler

Cheese, annatto, bole (Armenian), and other colouring matters.
Cooley’s Cyclopdia of Practical Receipts and Collateral Information in the Arts, Manufactures, Professions, and Trades…, Sixth Edition, Volume I Arnold Cooley

Yellow: Yellow straw is produced in the same manner, using turmeric and annatto only.
Philippine Mats Hugo H. Miller

The colour given by annatto approaches very nearly the natural colouring matter of milk fat.
The New Gresham Encyclopedia. Vol. 1 Part 2 Various

This may be colored with anything desired, like burnt sienna, annatto, or other coloring material.
Practical Mechanics for Boys J. S. Zerbe

An artificial color is often given to butter by the use of a preparation of annatto.
Science in the Kitchen. Mrs. E. E. Kellogg

Butter is often colored with annatto, saffron, turmeric, marigold or coal-tar colors.
Detection of the Common Food Adulterants Edwin M. Bruce

If the milk was uncolored or colored with annatto the curd when thus treated will be white.
Detection of the Common Food Adulterants Edwin M. Bruce

A quantity of turmeric roots and annatto seeds are pounded separately in mortars until they are reduced to a very fine state.
Philippine Mats Hugo H. Miller

noun (pl) -tos
a small tropical American tree, Bixa orellana, having red or pinkish flowers and pulpy seeds that yield a dye: family Bixaceae
the yellowish-red dye obtained from the pulpy outer layer of the coat of the seeds of this tree, used for colouring fabrics, butter, varnish, etc