witches'-broom

[ wich-iz-broom, -broom ]

noun

, Plant Pathology.

1. an abnormal, brushlike growth of small thin branches on woody plants, caused especially by fungi, viruses, and mistletoes.

witches'-broom

/ ˈwɪtʃˌbruːm /

noun

1. a dense abnormal growth of shoots on a tree or other woody plant, usually caused by parasitic fungi of the genus Taphrina

Word History and Origins

Origin of witches'-broom¹

First recorded in 1865–70