sas·sa·fras 
(săsə-frăs′)
(săsə-frăs′)n.
1. A deciduous eastern North American tree (Sassafras albidum) having irregularly lobed leaves and aromatic bark, leaves, and roots.
2. The dried root bark of this plant, used as a source of safrole and formerly as a flavoring.
[Spanish sasafrás, from Late Latin saxifragia, kind of herb, variant of (herba) saxifraga, saxifrage; see SAXIFRAGE.]