broomrape

UK: /ˈbruːmˌreɪp/ US: (bro̅o̅m′rāp′, brŏŏm′-)

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

broom•rape  (bro̅o̅m′rāp′, brŏŏm′-), n. 

1. Plant Biology any of various parasitic plants, esp. of the genus Orobanche, living on the roots of broom and other plants. Cf. broomrape family.

• partial translation of Medieval Latin rāpum genistae tuber of the broom plant 1570–80

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

broomrape / ˈbruːmˌreɪp ˈbrʊm-/ noun

1. any orobanchaceous plant of the genus Orobanche: brownish small-flowered leafless parasites on the roots of other plants, esp on legumes

Etymology: 16th Century: adaptation and partial translation of Medieval Latin rāpum genistae tuber (hence: root nodule) of Genista (a type of broom plant)