cauliflower

[ kaw-luh-flou-er, -lee-, kol-uh-, kol-ee- ]
/ ˈkɔ ləˌflaʊ ər, -li-, ˈkɒl ə-, ˈkɒl i- /

noun

a form of cultivated plant, Brassica oleracea botrytis, of the mustard family, whose inflorescence forms a compact, usually whitish head. Compare broccoli.
this head, used as a vegetable.

Origin of cauliflower

1590–1600; < Latin cauli(s) cole + flower; replacing coleflorie < Italian ca(v)olfiore, equivalent to cavol cole + fiore < Latin flōri- (stem of flōs) flower

Example sentences from the Web for cauliflower

British Dictionary definitions for cauliflower

cauliflower
/ (ˈkɒlɪˌflaʊə) /

noun

a variety of cabbage, Brassica oleracea botrytis, having a large edible head of crowded white flowers on a very short thick stem
the flower head of this plant, used as a vegetable

Word Origin for cauliflower

C16: from Italian caoli fiori, literally: cabbage flowers, from cavolo cabbage (from Latin caulis) + fiore flower (from Latin flōs)