loofah
(ˈluːfə)
[a. Egyptian Arabic lūfa{suph}, a plant of this species, which collectively is called lūf.]
The fibrous substance of the pod of the plant Luffa ægyptiaca, used as a sponge or flesh-brush. Also attrib., as loofah-tree.
| 1887 C. A. Moloney Forestry W. Afr. 356 Loofah, Konyikon, or Native Sponge of Western Africa. 1889 C. D. Bell Winter Nile xxvi. 231 The loofah tree bears a long green pod. 1889 Pall Mall G. 7 Oct. 3/3 Rubbing myself well with a well-soaped loofah. |