broc·co·li 
(brŏkə-lē)
(brŏkə-lē)n.
1. A plant (Brassica oleracea var. italica) in the mustard family, having dense clusters of numerous green flower buds.
2. The flower clusters of this plant, eaten as a vegetable before the flower buds open.
[Italian, pl. of broccolo, flowering sprout of a turnip, diminutive of brocco, shoot, sprout, from Vulgar Latin *brocca, spike; see BROCADE.]