any plant belonging to the genus Genista, of the legume family, having showy flowers and including many species of broom
2.
a related plant, Cytisus canariensis, of the Canary Islands, having loose clusters of fragrant yellow flowers
Word origin
[1615–25; ‹ NL, L: the broomplant]This word is first recorded in the period 1615–25. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: discount, facet, garrote, oral, trigger