cauliflowercau‧li‧flow‧er /ˈkɔlɪˌflaʊɚ, ˈkɑ-/ noun [countable, uncountable]Word Origin a white vegetable with short firm stems and thick groups of small round flower-like parts [Origin: 1500–1600 Italian cavolfiore, from cavolo “cabbage” + fiore “flower”]