/saf"low'euhr/ , n.
1. a thistlelike composite plant, Carthamus tinctorius, native to the Old World, having finely toothed leaves and large, orange-red flower heads.
2. its dried florets, used medicinally or as a red dyestuff.
[ 1575-85; saffloer safleur, alter. (assimilated to safran SAFFRON and fleur FLOWER) of It asfori asfar yellow ]