[ 'skeɪbɪəs ]
■ noun a plant of the teasel family, with blue, pink, or white pincushion-shaped flowers. [ Scabiosa , Knautia , and other genera: several species, including the devil's bit ~ .]
■ adjective affected with mange; scabby.
Origin
ME: based on L. scabiosus 'rough, scabby' and med. L. scabiosa (herba) 'rough, scabby (plant)', formerly regarded as a cure for skin disease.