1865-70, Americanism; < Spanishalfilerillo, equivalent to alfiler pin (< Arabical-khilāl the pin) + -illo diminutive suffix
British Dictionary definitions for alfilaria
alfilaria
/ˌælfɪˈlɛərɪə/
noun
1.
a geraniaceous plant, Erodium cicutarium, native to Europe, with finely divided leaves and small pink or purplish flowers. It is widely naturalized in North America and is used as fodder Also called pin clover
Word Origin
via American Spanish from Spanish alfilerillo, from alfiler pin, from Arabic al-khilāl the thorn