arch. Also -stave (rare). Pl. -staffs, -staves. [f. BROOM sb. + STAFF.] The staff or handle of a broom; a broomstick.
1613. Shaks., Hen. VIII., V. iv. 57. At length they came to th’ broome staffe to me, I defide ’em stil.
1711. E. Ward, Vulgus Brit., V. 54. Rattling their Broomstaves, and their Clubs.
1712–4. Prior, Alma, Poems (1754), 264. Broom-staff or Poker they bestride.
1825. Waterton, Wand. S. Amer., II. iii. 200. The black cat and broomstaff … considered as conductors to and from the regions of departed spirits.
1870. Lowell, Among my Bks., Ser. I. (1873), 117. The broomstave, which might make part of the poorest house’s furniture.
