Flambeau \Flam"beau\; n.; pl. Flambeauxor Flambeaus. [F., fr. OF. flambe flame, for flamble, from L. flammula a little flame, dim. of flamma flame. See Flame.]

A flaming torch, esp. one made by combining together a number of thick wicks invested with a quick-burning substance (anciently, perhaps, wax; in modern times, pitch or the like); hence, any torch.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)