a plant (Vicia faba) of the pea family, bearing large, broad pods with flat, edible seeds, used for fodder and as a vegetable
See broad bean in American Heritage Dictionary 4
also broad·bean(brôdˈbēnˌ)
noun In both senses also called fava bean, horse bean.
An annual Old World plant (Vicia faba) in the pea family, having pinnately compound leaves, white flowers with lateral purplish blotches, and long thick pods.
The edible seed or green pod of this plant. It is the bean of antiquity.