ˈsamˌfī(ə)r noun
( -s )
Etymology: alteration (perhaps influenced by camphire ) of earlier sampere, sampiere, from Middle French ( herbe de ) Saint Pierre, literally, St. Peter's herb
1. : a fleshy European seacoast plant ( Crithmum maritimum ) of the family Umbelliferae that is sometimes pickled
2. : a common glasswort ( Salicornia europaea ) that is sometimes pickled
3. : sea oxeye
4. : a tropical American fleshy herb ( Philoxerus vermicularis ) of the family Amaranthaceae with dense heads of white flowers that is common along beaches