ˈləfə noun
Etymology: New Latin, from Arabic lūf
1. capitalized : a genus of tropical climbing herbs (family Cucurbitaceae) with white flowers and large fruits
2. or loo·fah ˈlüfə -s
a. : a plant of the genus Luffa
b. : the fruit of such a plant : dishcloth gourd
3. or loofah -s : the fibrous skeleton of the luffa fruit used as a sponge — called also vegetable sponge