Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Wand \Wand\, n. [Of Scand. origin; cf. Icel. v["o]ndr, akin to
   Dan. vaand, Goth. wandus; perhaps originally, a pliant twig,
   and akin to E. wind to turn.]
   1. A small stick; a rod; a verge.

            With good smart blows of a wand on his back.
                                                  --Locke.

   2. Specifically:
      (a) A staff of authority.

                Though he had both spurs and wand, they seemed
                rather marks of sovereignty than instruments of
                punishment.                       --Sir P.
                                                  Sidney.
      (b) A rod used by conjurers, diviners, magicians, etc.

                Picus bore a buckler in his hand; His other
                waved a long divining wand.       --Dryden.

   {Wand of peace} (Scots Law), a wand, or staff, carried by the
      messenger of a court, which he breaks when deforced (that
      is, hindered from executing process), as a symbol of the
      deforcement, and protest for remedy of law. --Burrill.