Main Entry:

cro·ton

Pronunciation:

\ˈkrō-t^ən\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

New Latin, genus name, from Greek krotōn castor-oil plant

Date:

1751

1: any of a genus (Croton) of herbs, shrubs, and trees of the spurge family: as a: one (C. eluteria) of the Bahamas yielding cascarilla bark b: an Asian plant (C. tiglium) yielding croton oil 2: any of a genus (Codiaeum) of shrubs and trees related to the crotons