luffa

/ˈlʌfə/
noun
  1. A dried, fibrous gourd used as a sponge for scrubbing the body or cleaning.
    • She uses a luffa in the shower to exfoliate her skin.
    • He bought a luffa from the farmer's market to use in the kitchen.
    • The natural luffa is more eco-friendly than plastic sponges.
  2. A tropical vine of the genus Luffa that produces the gourd used as a sponge.
    • The luffa plant grows quickly in warm climates and needs a trellis.
    • They planted luffa seeds in the garden last spring.
    • Luffa vines produce yellow flowers before the gourds develop.