Proto-Basque: *es-pel
Meaning: 1 box (tree) 2 broom (implement)
Bizkaian: ezpel 1
Gipuzkoan: ezpel 1
High Navarrese: ezpel 1
Low Navarrese: ezpel 1
Salazarese: ezpel 2
Lapurdian: ezpel 1
Zuberoan: ezpel 1
Roncalese: ezpel 2
Comments: Cf. PNC *pħīlV 'a kind of foliage [deciduous] tree' (asp, poplar). The first element *es- seems to be a reduced form of Bsq *haice 'tree' (q.v.), cf. also *es-kur̄ 'acorn, beechnut'. Brooms were sometimes made from box twigs. Azkue cites the Pyrenean words ezpelezko ezpela ‘broom made from box’, otakezpela ‘broom made from gorse’, txiniztezpel ‘broom made from juniper’, etc.
