a colourless or yellowish oily water-insoluble liquid present in sassafras and camphor oils and used in soaps and perfumes. Formula: C10H10O2
Word origin
C19: from (sas)safr(as) + -ole1
safrole in American English
(ˈsæfroʊl)
noun
a clear, colorless oil, C3H5C6H3O2CH2, found in sassafras oil, camphor wood, etc., and used in perfumes, medicines, flavors, etc.: toxic when ingested and regarded as a possible carcinogen, its use in foods and beverages is forbidden in the U.S.