Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Purgative \Pur"ga*tive\, a. [L. purgativus: cf. F. purgatif.]
   Having the power or quality of purging; cathartic. -- n.
   (Med.) A purging medicine; a cathartic.

Source : WordNet®

purgative
     adj : strongly laxative [syn: {cathartic}, {evacuant}]
     n : a purging medicine; stimulates evacuation of the bowels
         [syn: {cathartic}, {physic}, {aperient}]