Be″som (�), n. [OE. besme, besum, AS. besma; akin to D. bezem, OHG pesamo, G. besen; of uncertain origin.] A brush of twigs for sweeping; a broom; anything which sweeps away or destroys.
I will sweep it with the besom of destruction.
Isa. xiv. 23.
The housemaid with her besom.
W. Irving.