besoms

There were a great many Indians lying by the door-steps, having disposed of their baskets, besoms, and raspberries, by the sale of which they make a scanty livelihood.

The Englishwoman in America 2007

Outside the doors of the few cottages and houses that make up the present village big birch besoms are stuck, to wipe off the worst of the clay, which will give some idea of the texture of the district.

First Men in the Moon Herbert George 2006

It consisted of the most reverend Moullahs, who had fulfilled their commission and brought back one of those precious besoms which are used to sweep the sacred Caaba: a present truly worthy of the greatest potentate on earth!

The History of the Caliph Vathek 2004

Drowsy men were sweeping the pavements with ten-foot besoms, and ragged families picking over the dustbins.

Down and Out in Paris and London 2004

And the besoms wherewith the Beat is cleansed are broken in pieces, and thrown out amongst the mob; and he that gets a small stick or twig of it, keeps it as a sacred relique.

Personal Narrative of a Pilgrimage to Al-Madinah and Meccah 2003

It was a forlorn hope — so forlorn that four or five of the aboriginals declined to take part in it, deeming it safer to trust to the sandbank, which they imagined could never be entirely swept by the besoms of the sea.

The Confessions of a Beachcomber 2003

Will and Bran pulled them out: besoms made like those for old-fashioned sweeping, but with the twigs longer and wider-spread.

The Grey King Susan Cooper 2001

That was reassuring too, as those sneaky wee besoms took a hell of a lot to put them down.

A Big Boy Did It and Ran Away Brookmyre, Christopher, 1968- 2001

Will and Bran pulled them out: besoms made like those for old-fashioned sweeping, but with the twigs longer and wider-spread.

The Grey King Susan Cooper 2001

Butchers make besoms of its twigs, with which to sweep their stalls or [65] blocks: and these twigs are called "pungi topi," "prickrats," from being used to preserve meat from rats.

Herbal Simples Approved for Modern Uses of Cure William Thomas Fernie