ˈkrōs ə n, -sə̇n noun
( -s )
Etymology: International Scientific Vocabulary croc- (from Latin crocus saffron) + -in; probably originally formed in German — more at crocus
: a yellow glycoside C 44 H 64 O 24 of crocetin occurring in species of crocus (as saffron) and gardenia that is active in inducing sexual change in certain algae