Emily Dickinson Lexicon

BROOM, n. [Sax. brum; D. brem, braam; Ir. brum. This is the simple root of Bramble.]

1. A plant of several species, called dyer's weed, being used by dyers to give a yellow color, dyer's broom, green wood, or wood waxen, dwarf broom, all belonging to the genus Genista. Broom rape is Orobanche, and with large purple flowers, Lathræa. – Fam. of Plants. Spanish broom is a species of Spartium, and Butcher's broom is the Ruscus.
2. A besom, or brush with a long handle for sweeping floors; so called from being originally made of the broom-plant. In America, brooms are made of the tops of broom-corn, or of some species of wood splintered, chiefly ash. The latter species of broom is furnished by the natives of the country. The original broom, made of shrubs or twigs, is still used in stables.