Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Sassafras \Sas"sa*fras\, n. [F. sassafras (cf. It. sassafrasso,
   sassafras, Sp. sasafras, salsafras, salsifrax, salsifragia,
   saxifragia), fr. L. saxifraga saxifrage. See {Saxifrage}.]
   (Bot.)
   An American tree of the Laurel family ({Sassafras
   officinale}); also, the bark of the roots, which has an
   aromatic smell and taste.

   {Australian sassafras}, a lofty tree ({Doryophora Sassafras})
      with aromatic bark and leaves.

   {Chilian sassafras}, an aromatic tree ({Laurelia
      sempervirens}).

   {New Zealand sassafras}, a similar tree ({Laurelia Nov[ae]
      Zelandi[ae]}).

   {Sassafras nut}. See {Pichurim bean}.

   {Swamp sassafras}, the sweet bay ({Magnolia glauca}). See
      {Magnolia}.

Source : WordNet®

sassafras
     n 1: yellowwood tree with brittle wood and aromatic leaves and
          bark; source of sassafras oil; widely distributed in
          eastern North America [syn: {sassafras tree}, {Sassafras
          albidum}]
     2: dried root bark of the sassafras tree