[cro.ton] n [NL, genus name, fr. Gk kroton castor-oil plant] (1751) 1: any of a genus (Croton) of herbs, shrubs, and trees of the spurge family: as a: one (C. eluteria) of the Bahamas yielding cascarilla bark b: an Asian plant (C. tiglium) yielding croton oil
2: any of a genus (Codiaeum) of shrubs and trees related to the crotons