pigment

n. 1 colouring-matter used as paint or dye. 2 natural colouring-matter of animal or plant tissue. v. Colour with or as if with pigment.  pigmentary adj. [latin pingo paint]

n. Any material from which a dye, a paint, or the like, may be prepared; particularly, the refined and purified coloring matter ready for mixing with an appropriate vehicle.