[broc.co.li] n [It, pl. of broccolo flowering top of a cabbage, dim. of brocco small nail, sprout] (1699) 1 chiefly Brit: a large hardy cauliflower
2. a: either of two garden vegetable plants closely related to the cabbage: (1): one with a thick central stem and a compact head of dense usu. green florets that is classified with the cauliflower (2): one (Brassica oleracea italica) with slender stems and usu. green or purple florets not arranged in a central head b: the stems and immature florets of broccoli used as food