Definition of "sassafras"
noun
countable and uncountable, plural sassafrases
(uncountable) The bark of the root of this plant, used for medicinal and (mostly historically) culinary purposes and formerly a main ingredient in root beer.
Quotations
our allowance was somewhat bettered, by a daily proportion of Bisket, which the sailers would pilfer to sell, give, or exchange with us, for money, Saxefras, furres, or love.
1624, John Smith, Generall Historie, Kupperman, published 1988, page 82