broccoli n 1: plant with dense clusters of tight green flower buds [syn: {broccoli}, {Brassica oleracea italica}] 2: branched green undeveloped flower heads
Broccoli \Broc"co*li\, n. [It. broccoli, pl. of broccolo sprout, cabbage sprout, dim. of brocco splinter. See {Broach}, n.] (Bot.) A plant of the Cabbage species ({Brassica oleracea}) of many varieties, resembling the cauliflower. The "curd," or flowering head, is the part used for food. [1913 Webster]