[a. Egyptian Arabic lūfah, 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. 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 Gaz., 7 Oct., 3/3. Rubbing myself well with a well-soaped loofah.
