/kaw"leuh flow'euhr, -lee-, kol"euh-, kol"ee-/ , n.
1. a form of cultivated plant, Brassica oleracea botrytis, of the mustard family, whose inflorescence forms a compact, usually whitish head. Cf. broccoli .
2. this head, used as a vegetable.
[ 1590-1600; cauli ( s ) COLE + FLOWER; r. coleflorie ca ( v ) olfiore, equiv. to cavol cole + fiore flori- (s. of flos ) flower ]