an African plant, Guizotia abyssinica, grown in India: family Asteraceae (composites)
2. Also called: Niger seed
the seed of this plant, used as a source of oil and a bird food
Word origin
C19: from Hindi, from Sanskrit rāma black + tila sesame
Niger seed in American English
noun
the black seed of a tropical African composite plant, Guizotia abyssinica, yielding an oil used as food, in the manufacture of soap, etc.
Word origin
[1885–90]This word is first recorded in the period 1885–90. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: foregut, lineup, reactor, toner, zoom