Besom
/ˈbiːzəm/noun
A broom, especially a rough or traditional one made of twigs.
Did you know?In English folklore, the besom became strongly associated with witches, and the idea of witches flying on broomsticks helped turn an ordinary cleaning tool into a symbol of magical power.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*bʰeh₂-
“to shine, gleam”
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*bēsmaz
“broom, brush”
Old English
English
besma
“a broom or bundle of twigs used for sweeping”
Middle English
English
besom
“a broom; a sweeping brush”
Modern English
English
besom
“a broom, especially a rough one made of twigs”