sassafras

[sas-uh-fras]

noun

1. an American tree, Sassafras albidum, of the laurel family, having egg-shaped leaves and long clusters of greenish-yellow flowers.

2. the aromatic bark of its root, used medicinally and especially for flavoring beverages, confectionery, etc.

sassafras

/ ˈsæsəˌfræs /

noun

1. an aromatic deciduous lauraceous tree, Sassafras albidum, of North America, having three-lobed leaves and dark blue fruits

2. the aromatic dried root bark of this tree, used as a flavouring, and yielding sassafras oil

3. any of several unrelated trees having a similar fragrant bark

Word History and Origins

Origin of sassafras¹

First recorded in 1570–80, sassafras is from the Spanish word sasafrás

Word History and Origins

Origin of sassafras¹

C16: from Spanish sasafrás, of uncertain origin