bal·us·ter 
(bălə-stər)
(bălə-stər)n.
1.
a. One of the upright, usually rounded or vase-shaped supports of a balustrade.
b. An upright support, such as a furniture leg, having a similar shape.
2. One of the supporting posts of a handrail.
[French balustre, from Italian balaustro, from balaustra, pomegranate flower (from a resemblance to the post), from Latin balaustium, from Greek balaustion, probably from a Semitic source akin to Syriac blaṣ, to bud, flower, and perhaps to Tigrinya bäläṣä, to be superior.]