saffron

n. [ OE. saffran, F. safran; cf. It. zafferano, Sp. azafran, Pg. açafrão; all fr. Ar. & Per. za' farān. ] 1. (Bot.) A bulbous iridaceous plant (Crocus sativus) having blue flowers with large yellow stigmas. See Crocus. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The aromatic, pungent, dried stigmas, usually with part of the stile, of the Crocus sativus. Saffron is used in cookery, and in coloring confectionery, liquors, varnishes, etc., and was formerly much used in medicine. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. An orange or deep yellow color, like that of the stigmas of the Crocus sativus. [ 1913 Webster ]

Bastard saffron,
Dyer's saffron. (Bot.) See Safflower. --
Meadow saffron (Bot.), a bulbous plant (Colchichum autumnale) of Europe, resembling saffron. --
Saffron wood (Bot.), the yellowish wood of a South African tree (Elaeodendron croceum); also, the tree itself. --
Saffron yellow, a shade of yellow like that obtained from the stigmas of the true saffron (Crocus sativus). [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To give color and flavor to, as by means of saffron; to spice. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

And in Latyn I speak a wordes few,
To saffron with my predication. Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]