besembos, noun

Forms:
Formerly also bessing bosch, bezem bosch.
Origin:
Afrikaans, South African DutchShow more Afrikaans (earlier South African Dutch bezembosch), besem broom + bos bush.
Any of various shrubs from which brooms are made, especially several species of Rhus of the Anacardiaceae.
1907 T.R. Sim Forests & Forest Flora 42The usual abundant presence of Bessing-bosch (Rhus erosa and Rhus dregeana).
1913 C. Pettman Africanderisms 58Bezem bosch, (D. bezem, a besom, broom.) Rhus dregeana and R. erosa are so named because their rigid branches are used as brooms.
1973 E. Prov. Herald 28 Mar. 4Along the eastern and north-eastern mountain and ridge route, besembos, leucoisidea, ironwood and the exotic nasella, have come in.
1987 M. Poland Train to Doringbult 35The dust from the wheels spiralled out, coating the brush and besembos.
Any of various shrubs from which brooms are made, especially several species of Rhus of the Anacardiaceae.
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19071987