n. 1. A plant (Brassica oleracea var. italica) in the mustard family, having dense clusters of numerous green flower buds. 2. The flower clusters of this plant, eaten as a vegetable before the flower buds open. [Italian, pl. of broccolo, flowering sprout of a turnip, diminutive of brocco, shoot, sprout, from Vulgar Latin *brocca, spike; see BROCADE.] |
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