Saffran
/ˈsæf.rən/noun
An obsolete or variant English form of saffron, the orange-yellow spice and dye obtained from the crocus flower.
Did you know?Saffron’s ancient name crossed Arabic, Persian, Greek, Latin, and European languages because the spice was valued both as medicine and as a sacred-looking dye.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Persian
Persian
za‘farān
“Saffron, the golden-red stigmas of the crocus”
Medieval Arabic
Arabic
za‘farān
“Saffron; the Arabic form that spread widely through trade and medicine”
9th–10th Century
Medieval Latin
safranum
“Saffron, used as a spice, dye, and medicinal substance”
12th Century
Old French
safran
“Saffron”
Middle English
English
saffran
“Saffron; an older spelling and variant form”
Modern English
English
saffron
“The modern standard form for the spice and yellow-orange color”