Emily Dickinson Lexicon

BRAM'BLE, n. [Sax. brembel, brembr, bremel, a bramble, rubus, vepres; D. braam, braambosch, braamstruik, bramble; Ger. brombeer, blackberry; brombeerstaude, bramble. This plant probably is named from its berry or its prickles. See Broom.]

The raspberry bush or blackberry bush; a general name of the genus Rubes, of which there are several species. They are armed with prickles; hence in common language, any rough, prickly shrub.