noun

1. any of a genus (Tropaeolum, family Tropaeolaceae) of dicotyledonous garden plants (order Geraniales) with shield-shaped leaves, and showy, trumpet-shaped, usually red, yellow, or orange spurred flowers
2. the flower

Etymology: L, kind of cress < *nasitortium, lit., nose-twist < nasus, nose + pp. of torquere, to turn, twist (see tort): from the pungent odor of the plant