cauliflower

Meanings

Noun

• Brassica oleracea var. botrytis (variety), an annual variety of cabbage, of which the cluster of young flower stalks and buds is eaten as a vegetable.
• The edible head or curd of a cauliflower plant.
• The swelling of a cauliflower ear.

Verb

• To (cause to) swell up like a cauliflower ear.

Origin

• From 16th century cole-florye. Compare Latin caulis, French chou-fleur, Italian cavolfiore.