noun pl. crocuses or croci
- any of a large genus (Crocus) of spring-blooming plants of the iris family, with fleshy corms and a yellow, purple, or white flower
- an orange-yellow color; saffron
- powdered iron oxide used for polishing
Origin:
ME < L < Gr krokos, saffron, via Sem (as in Heb karkōm, Ar kurkum, Aram kūrkāmā, saffron, crocus), ult. < Sans kuṅkumam