salsify
[sal-suh-fee]
- a purple-flowered, composite plant, Tragopogon porrifolius, whose root has an oyster-like flavor and is used as a culinary vegetable.
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Origin of salsify
1690–1700; < French salsifis, variant of sassefy, sassef(r)ique < Italian sassef(r)ica) < ?
Also called oyster plant, vegetable oyster.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for salsify
Historical Examples of salsify
Salsify must not be left exposed to the air, or it will turn blackish.
Directions for Cookery, in its Various BranchesEliza Leslie
"Thank you," said Amy taking the bunch of keys from Mrs. Salsify's hand.
EventideEffie Afton
"Well, the girl ought to pay for the waste she has occasioned," said Mr. Salsify, gruffly.
EventideEffie Afton
Thus it appears Mr. Salsify's high hopes are at length realized.
EventideEffie Afton
Drain off the water and cut the salsify in pieces half an inch long.
Housekeeping in Old VirginiaMarion Cabell Tyree
salsify
- Also called: oyster plant, vegetable oyster a Mediterranean plant, Tragopogon porrifolius, having grasslike leaves, purple flower heads, and a long white edible taproot: family Asteraceae (composites)
- the root of this plant, which tastes of oysters and is eaten as a vegetable
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Word Origin for salsify
C17: from French salsifis, from Italian sassefrica, from Late Latin saxifrica, from Latin saxum rock + fricāre to rub
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for salsify
biennial plant, 1710, from French salsifis, earlier sercifi, sassify (16c.), probably from Italian erba salsifica, from Old Italian salsifica, of uncertain origin, perhaps from Latin sal "salt" + fricare "to rub."
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper