/looh"feuh/ , n.
1. Also called dishcloth gourd, rag gourd .
a. any of several tropical vines of the genus Luffa, of the gourd family, bearing large, elongated fruit.
b. the fruit of such a vine.
2. Also called vegetable sponge . the dried, fibrous interior of this fruit, used as a sponge.
Also, loofa, luffa .
[ 1860-65; Luffa the genus luf ]