Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - cole

 biographical name Thomas 1801-1848 American (English-born) painter COLE  noun  Etymology: Middle English, from Old English cal, from Latin caulis stem, cabbage; akin to Greek kaulos stem, Latvian kauls  Date: before 12th century any of several brassicas; especially any of various crop plants (as broccoli, kale, brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, and kohlrabi) derived from the same wild cabbage (Brassica oleracea)