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. [ Archaic or Fig. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

I will sweep it with the besom of destruction. Isa. xiv. 23. [ 1913 Webster ]

The housemaid with her besom. W. Irving. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Besomed ] To sweep, as with a besom. [ Archaic or Poetic ] Cowper. [ 1913 Webster ]

Rolls back all Greece, and besoms wide the plain. Barlow. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who uses a besom. [ Archaic ] [ 1913 Webster ]