branches

Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
branch/brɑːntʃ/

▶noun

• 1 a part of a tree which grows out from the trunk or a bough.

• 2 a part of a river, road, or railway that extends from the main part.

• 3 a division of a large organization.

  ■ a subdivision of a subject, group of languages, etc.

▶verb

• 1 (of a road or path) divide into one or more subdivisions.

• 2 (of a tree or plant) bear or send out branches.

• 3 (branch out) extend one's activities or interests in a new direction.

– derivatives
branchlet noun,
branch-like adjective,
branchy adjective.

– origin ME: from OFr. branche, from late L. branca ‘paw’.