a thistle-like S European plant, Cynara cardunculus, closely related to the artichoke, with spiny leaves, purple flowers, and a leafstalk that may be blanched and eaten: family Asteraceae (composites)
Word origin
C17: from French cardon, ultimately from Latin carduus thistle, artichoke
cardoon in American English
(kɑrˈdun)
noun
a thistlelike Mediterranean plant (Cynara cardunculus) of the composite family, closely related to the artichoke: leaves and roots are edible when blanched
Word origin
Fr cardon < Prov < LL cardo < L carduus: see card2