n.
Pronunciation: ' sa-s ə - ˌ fras
Function: noun
Etymology: Spanish sasafrás
Date: 1577
1 : an eastern No. American tree ( Sassafras albidum ) of the laurel family having both ovate and lobed aromatic leaves
2 : the carcinogenic dried root bark of the sassafras used formerly as a diaphoretic or flavoring agent